Within moments of my second child being born, the doctors needed to attend to his mother. So as Deb got the treatment she needed for a few minutes, I got to carry Jeff around the spacious delivery room and introduce myself to him. It was quite a treat for a father to have so much time with a newborn child.

Even as a young boy, there was something captivating about Jeff’s personality. He wasn’t flashy and never strove to be the center of attention: he just stayed within himself, he lured you in, and you just thought he was cool. Then he would smile – he had a truly dazzling smile – and you’d be hooked.

People just liked Jeff and were attracted to him.

But as he grew older, life became difficult for Jeff – he took things too seriously. For instance, in the 4th grade, he worried that he would have to stay back. We now see these characteristics as the onset of anxiety and depression, but back then we just thought he was going through a phase.

Jeff was always a well-behaved kid – he never gave us any trouble. His teachers would always compliment him to us on his behavior. He got his school work done, earned good grades, and even held down a part-time job through high school and college. He had a great group of friends and had an active social life. Jeff loved music – he was a drummer – and he loved to jam with his friends. But despite all these accomplishments, things were never quite right with Jeffrey, and we worried about him.

Continue reading I Think Therefore I Am – Thoughts of Jeff