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[at-l] Post-Partum Depression
- Subject: [at-l] Post-Partum Depression
- From: spiriteagle99@hotmail.com (Jim and/or Ginny Owen)
- Date: Fri, 13 Jul 2001 13:18:38 -0000
This was something that was posted on pct-l by someone I've never met, but
consider a friend. I asked Greg if I could re-post it here because he puts
into words something that many of us feel but cannot express.
I need to write something like this as closure for the last two years, but
I'm not ready to even try it yet. So I appreciate Greg's words because it
makes our experience more poignant, more urgent and more sharply focussed.
Walk softly,
Jim
>[pct-l] Re: [pctl] Post-Partum Depression
>Bighummel@aol.com Mon, 9 Jul 2001 17:15:12 EDT
>
>>a discussion I would like to hear on pct-l is what about the post->>partum
>>depression a month or two after successfully completing the PCT or any
>>other hiking challenge
>
>My darkest depression came about a month after returning from my thruhike
>when interviewed by a local newspaper in Santa Barbara. The reporter and
>photographer came up to the home I was living in, near the Mission. They
>wanted a shot of me, with pack, in a natural setting and it was almost
>difficult to find one that had no sign of man in it. That single issue,
>that I had returned from general >immersion in wilderness to saturation in
>society, struck me so hard and depressed me for days.
>
>However, in this depression I recognized and solidified the knowledge that
>what drove me, what was essential and necessary to feel "successful" in
>this trek, what was the single most important thing to me was:
>
>I had become so confident in my own capabilities as to become completely
>secure, comfortable and "at home" in the wilderness, gaining a fuller
>appreciation of wilderness.
>
>Nothing else came close in importance. Not 2600 miles, not Mexico to
>Canada, not Across the United States, not Thruhike In A Single Year, not 43
>miles in a single day, not beating anyone to anywhere.
>
>My greatest fear before leaving was that this would not occur. My greatest
>triumph was the realization that I had attained my ultimate goal. The most
>difficult thing to come to terms with has been the tradeoff of that for
>higher priority things in my life. I am gradually trying to bring both
>together.
>
>The depression has never really faded away. It has merely evolved into an
>understanding of choices and consequences.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Greg "Strider" Hummel
>"the grass was greener . . . the light was brighter . . . the nights of
>wonder . . . with friends surround us . . ."
> Pink Floyd, "The Division Bell"
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