Testimony of Healing March 27, 1978 Issue

As a young adult I would probably have been characterized...

Nancy J. Young

As a young adult I would probably have been characterized as optimistic, ambitious, and extroverted. I took pride in my ability to think quickly and logically. There was no precedent for mental illness.

Even though I actively pursued a demanding profession, my deepest yearnings were for home and family. I loved children and found my greatest joy in their company. Marriage for me came somewhat late, but it appeared to offer much that I longed for. We had a nice home. Two wonderful stepchildren, whom I loved dearly, lived with us.

About four years ago everything fell apart. I lost a baby through a miscarriage. This was followed by serious physical complications, and I was confined for many weeks. A business I had built with much effort was virtually wiped out, because I was unable to work. Employees left for other jobs; I found myself deeply in debt. My marriage came apart under the strain of these difficulties. On the day before Thanksgiving that year my stepson was removed permanently from our home by his father, and it appeared I would never see either of my stepchildren again. At that time I felt almost immobilized with grief—circumstances seemed so overwhelming.

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