Slow Down

God and Gays

If you're near the Kansas City area, come join us Saturday, October 11th for "God and Gays: Isn't it Time for a Different Conversation?" The event will be held at the Center for Spiritual Living; location and details are listed in the flyer below.

Terrie is the featured guest speaker for the afternoon open forum session along with Nate Phelps, son of Fred Phelps who was the former pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas.

We hope to see you there!

 

Every Life is Precious

It's World Suicide Prevention Day. If someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, step up and step in. The worst thing that will happen is they'll get angry with you. The best that will happen is you'll save their life. Step up. Step in. Talk. Help. Care. Love.

A Heavy Heart

We at Ears Wide Open? join the world in expressing our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Robin Williams. His tragic death is a sad and painful reminder that depression and suicide can strike anyone at any stage of life. We must continue in our fight to raise awareness and help those who are hurting and desperate to find a way out of the darkness.

If you haven't done so in a while, please share the links to Ears Wide Open? ... someone needs a reason to hope today. 

Vimeo: Click here

YouTube: Click here

I Almost Missed Her

Many of you have asked for more information about Terrie's personal blog, The Tree House. You can find her blog by clicking on this link: terriejohnson.blogspot.com

We're reposting one of her recent posts below as a reminder of the importance of stepping up and stepping in if someone you know is struggling with depression. We'd like to encourage you to share Ears Wide Open? ... the video is changing lives and continuing to help those who are hurting. Blessings to you on this rainy Sunday morning!

I Almost Missed Her

If you've been reading my blog for more than a day or two, you've probably picked up on my deep love for my children and my granddaughter Coraline (or as I generally refer to her in my posts, C.J.). I write often about my kiddos and even more often about Coraline ... sorry, kids, but she is my only grandchild. Well, for a few more days anyway ... we're all on baby watch in a big way as we await the impending arrival of Coraline's new sister. In fact, in a few minutes, I'll be Skyping with C.J. ... just in case the baby comes this weekend ... you see, if I don't get to Skype with her every week, I am not a happy Ghee.

Waiting for my newest granddaughter to be born has made me think an awful lot about the days and weeks leading up to Coraline's birth ... days that were anything but happy ones for me. You see, the announcement that my oldest son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first child threw a wrench into my plan to take my life ... I couldn't do that to my son when he was so overjoyed to become a father. Just further proof of the depth of my depression and irrational thinking back then ... a parent should never ever be able to do that to her children under any circumstances ... never, never ever. I sobbed like crazy the night they told our family they were pregnant ... but my tears were far, far, far from being tears of joy.

I spent the months leading up to Coraline's birth making videos for her ... for her birthdays, graduation, first date, wedding day, the birth of her own children, days when she was sad, days when she was frightened, days when she was sick. More than anything, I wanted her to know that I loved her and that I was sorry I wouldn't be part of her life as she grew up. I wanted her to know that I waited until I could meet her before I checked out. As the day drew closer for her to be born, I finalized my plans and got my affairs in order. And then I waited.

I went to see C.J. the day after she was born ... I cried the entire way there and back in the car, and most of the time I was at the hospital meeting my granddaughter for the first time. I whispered in her perfect little ear and told her I loved her ... I told her how beautiful she was ... I told her how sorry I was ... I told her I hoped she wouldn't believe all the bad things she would hear about me. When it was time to leave, I kissed my sweet Coraline gently on her soft little cheek and said goodbye ... only she and I knew I was saying goodbye forever.

There have been a million thoughts coursing through my mind for the last few days ... memories of that day and the days that followed ... sitting at my kitchen table with the pills in my hand ... being interrupted ... seeing my doctor ... agreeing to take the antidepressants ... going to the head doctor for the first time. But the thought that has overwhelmingly settled within me ... the thought that has taken up residence deep in my mind ... the thought that has seared itself into the deepest part of my heart and soul ... I ... almost ... missed ... her. I almost missed her laughter ... I almost missed her hugs ... I almost missed her "Hi, Ghee, hi!" and her "I wuv you, Ghee!" ... I almost missed seeing her crawl ... I almost missed the videos of her first steps, her first words, her first Christmas ... I almost missed the light in her eyes when she saw me at the airport ... I ... almost ... missed ... her.

My phone just rang ... and I heard the sweetest little voice ... "Ghee, you ready a Skype now?" I sure am, baby girl ... I sure, sure am.

Carry This

Two Weeks!

Only two weeks left! Pledge today and help stop hate and end abuse!

Not My Father's Son

Not My Father's Son

Ears Wide Open? led us to meet an incredible man who has overcome more than most of us can even imagine. Please check our newest project and share it with everyone you know!

You can click on the small KS logo in the lower right-hand corner on the video to visit our Kickstarter page for the film. Help us share Nate's story with the world!

Not My Father's Son

Find Your Thing

I've Learned

Climbing and Crossing

Don't Ever Give Up

“Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don't believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it's good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason.” 
― Andrew Solomon, The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression

Blog, Blog, Blog

Be sure and check out Terrie's daily blog, The Tree House. You'll be glad you did!

Say Cheese!

Do You Like Me?

We at Ears Wide Open? are excited about some special news we'll be announcing in a couple of weeks! 

If you haven't visited our page on Facebook, you can find it here. We'd love it if you'd give us a "Like!" You can also follow Ears Wide Open? on Twitter.

Remember that weekends are often tough for those struggling with depression. Step up and step in if someone you know and love shows signs of being depressed. Share the Ears Wide Open? video today and help us help those who are searching for hope, acceptance and love.

Be Nice

Let It Be Known

Because It Matters

If You Want Something

Come On, Baby, Light My Fire

Check out Terrie's newest Impact Magazine article ... 

Come On, Baby, Light My Fire

It's Up to You

Do I Look Gay to You?

Be sure to check out Terrie's newest article in Impact Magazine ... "Do I Look Gay to You?"

Beautiful Honesty

When You're Mad

If You Are Here ...

Just Do It

Believe Me

Don't Change

The Right People