I know where that dark place is, Debbie. It's a place where "look on the bright side, count your blessings" doesn't help. "Get a grip" doesn't help. Some days it feels like it's a lot of work to muster much more than "Whatever."

You said a couple of things in your post...you asked how we "keep going". Sometimes that's all you can do is keep going, and it's the most important thing you can do. Then try to hold on to the truth that it really IS a rough "patch". Just a patch. Not forever. No matter if you feel that way or not. Don't trust your feelings. Just hold on tight to the things you know are true.

Sometimes life sucks. Sometimes it sucks for a long time. When you hear that voice starting to tell you lies (no one cares, they'd be better off without me, I'm just taking up space, etc.) DON'T LISTEN!! They are LIES! See a counselor, come here and talk, PM somebody, do whatever you have to do.

One of the biggest lies is "nobody understands". Oh yes, somebody does. I can share things here that I can't lay on my children, things that my husband (God bless him) just doesn't have the capacity to identify with.

Almost all of us have been under the rock sometimes. You'd be surprised how many are there at this very moment. You're not alone. We don't all get out from under the same way. Some can leap, some crawl inch by inch. But there's always a way. I'll say it again: You are NOT alone.