One of the neatest people I have the pleasure of working with in postpartum mood disorder advocacy is Lauren of Sharing the Journey. She interviewed me (via email) recently about Out of the Valley and my PPD journey and today that interviewed has been posted. You can read it here:
I highly encourage you to check out her blog. I love her transparent approach to writing about her family life as well as keeping us updated about PPMD related news. She is a sweetheart! And thank you, Lauren!
I wrote here back in October about Wade Bowen’s song “Turn On the Lights”, written after his wife’s battle with postpartum depression. In November, a benefit concert to raise money for Postpartum Support International was held featuring Mr. Bowen. As he performed this song, a slideshow played in the background featuring photos of moms, dads, and their children who had been affected by postpartum depression.
There is a photo of us near the end of the slideshow. In it, we are walking on the beach swinging G in the air, and I am holding S. It is so neat to be included in such an event in this tiny way, during this fabulous song. Seeing the faces of so many moms who had gone through PPD, the dads who were there for them, and the children who are such joys to them now – it was really too much, brought tears to my eyes.
I’m thrilled to be sharing a bit of my PPD story and what I have learned from it at Rocks In My Dryer today. It is one of my favorite blogs to read! Shannon is doing a series called “What I’d Like For You To Know” and the today’s post is to share and educate about postpartum depression. It is an excellent series – I highly encourage you to check out all the posts in it. Each woman sharing has so much wisdom and I have learned an incredible amount from them and their life experiences. Compassion is to be had, folks…and as followers of Christ, it is something we are called to.
Most of you know about my journey through postpartum depression, and if you did not before - well, you do now. Since that time, God has led me to start a ministry to help and encourage other moms like me and families like us to get through such difficult and misunderstood times. You can see the ministry website here: Out of the Valley MInistries, Inc.
A country music artist, Wade Bowen, wrote a song about postpartum depression after watching his wife suffer through this horrible illness. It is called “Turn On the Lights.” Even better, he is hosting a benefit concert for Postpartum Support International in November. You can read more about it on my Out of the Valley blog.
Here are the lyrics, and following that is a YouTube video of him singing the song. It’s a beautiful song, written from a dad’s perspective.
It’s not easy anymore, everything seemed to change
With one blink of an eye, I’m the man to lay the blame
Well I’ve let you slip away, trying so hard to make this right
Well I have nothing left to do, nowhere else to turn
I know it’s dark babe…
CHORUS:
Please turn on the lights, let me see you cryin
You’re not here alone, I’m in here with you tryin
I want to see the truth, find the broken pieces
We can make it right, but you have to, you have to
Turn on the lights
We can step into the sun, and kiss the night goodbye
Those things that hold you down, cut ‘em loose and fly
So keep reaching for my hand, it might be hard for you to see
When shadows fill the room, baby I won’t let you go
I know it’s dark babe…
Oh please don’t be afraid
Girl it’s only me
Yeah, I am here to help you
Oh, turn on the lights
Yeah you have to
Turn on the lights
Since that time, God has led me to start a ministry to help and encourage other moms like me and families like us to get through such difficult and misunderstood times. You can see the ministry website here: