To BREATH, To LOVE, To LIVE: My Journey from Depression to Fighting for Life

/ Ebby LeBlanc

Two weeks ago, I experienced the scariest moment of my life, I stopped breathing due to asthma complications. I remember praying God wouldn’t take me away from my family. Before losing consciousness, I told the paramedics to tell my husband I loved him. In that moment, I was certain I was dying. My husband tells me I was unresponsive for a couple hours afterwards. The doctors considered doing a tracheotomy to insert a tube into my throat because nothing else worked. Needless to say, I finally came around and my zeal for life was on overload.

This moment of fighting to live is pivotal with a dash of irony. Here’s why. Six short years ago, I contemplated whether life mattered and if anyone would notice if I was gone. I recall feeling stagnant; none of my dreams were coming to fruition. Everywhere I turned, it seemed everyone else was moving forward but me. At the time, I was heavy in ministry. I couldn’t comprehend how I could be so unhappy, despite doing the work of God. The worst part was feeling this way and nobody noticing. I remember leaving church one Sunday, noticing the ditch on the side of the highway and contemplating running my car into it. I realized something was wrong and I needed help before I did something crazy.

What stopped me from ending it all was God showed me a vivid image of my future. He reminded me how I hadn’t scratched the surface of the blessings He had in store. I would be a wife one day, I would be a mother to beautiful children, I would obtain my degree. He reminded me if I stopped fighting, I’d never experience the blessings I’d waited so long for. Plus, everything I’d endured to this point would be for nothing.

I remember the day I decided with help from my therapist to keep fighting. (By the way, I highly recommend seeing a counselor if you are battling depression of any sort.) It was early November. I decided that day I was going to be happy regardless. I would enjoy life even if it didn’t turn out the way I’d planned. I decided in that moment, I would trust God’s perfect plan.  The following May, I walked across the stage to receive my degree. That summer, I purchase my first home. That August, I met my husband. Three years later, I was experiencing my dream wedding to the most incredible man. God couldn’t have blessed me with a better husband. Two years after that, God blessed us with the most beautiful baby boy I could ever imagine. My heart melts every time his big brown eyes look at me. And that smile… I am in awe.  If only I’d known I was so close to seeing my dreams…. That’s the thing; we don’t know how close we are to what we’ve been waiting for. So, we have to keep fighting, despite what it looks like.

I am in awe of what God has done in my life these last couple of years. The breathing incident was merely a tough reminder of what is truly important in life. Let go of grudges, forgive loved ones, and spend more energy cherishing your relationships with family and friends. Furthermore, the time to chase your dreams is NOW. And to the person contemplating your purpose or if you matter, you do! As long as God has sustained your ability to take a breath, your presence is needed and vital in this world. If you feel your life is stagnant and nothing is going the way you planned, please hold on to the hope that this is temporary. Take it one day at time because it will get better. At the end of day, don’t ever stop fighting to breath, to laugh, to love, To LIVE.

 

 

–Your moment is now,

Ebby ♥

P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts, comment below or email writerswithpurpose@gmail.com

P.S.S: Email your suggestion for writing topics here writerswithpurpose@gmail.com

 

 

 

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28 thoughts on “To BREATH, To LOVE, To LIVE: My Journey from Depression to Fighting for Life”

  2. Having read your “about” and this testimony, I am blown away!!! You’re a lovely woman to look at, and my goodness–there’s clearly no stopping you. I admire you–and will be thinking about points you made here. Mostly, I’m so thrilled that God showed up in your wife in a BIG way, leading you day by day to your Destiny. God bless you abundantly with His continued favor. a sister-in-Christ, Azul

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  4. Wow Ebony this write up is powerful and I felt like I was reading about my own life some time ago. We are they that he has called to do a great work and those moments are the testimony to be include therein. I am so glad I stumbled across your blog. I will be following – Chanel

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    • Your welcome. Depression is one of those topics that people don’t talk about, but it is real and very common. Its sad that many don’t get the help they need. Thanks for taking the time out to read it. : )

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    • I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter. I’m glad that my story could encourage you in the mist. I pray that God continues to bring the kind of peace that only He can bring.

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