Emotion: sadness
Problem: ongoing depression
Situation: I have had six people die this month, and I have been quarantined for 5 weeks with COVID-19.

assistant: Hello

user: Hi

assistant: How is everything

user: Not the best. I have been quarantined for 5 weeks with COVID-19 (tested positive), so I am getting cabin fever.

assistant: Ready for the holidays So you tested positive, must be hard

user: I am starting to get an aversion to holidays. When I was in college, my father was dying, and Thanksgiving was the last meal he ate at the family table... Christmas was the last time he ate solid food, and he died on the day after Epiphany So I have come to associate Thanksgiving through January as a time of loss.

assistant: The holidays can bring back memories, but you have other family around right

user: This month has driven it home more, because I have had six people die this month. It's starting to bring on flashbacks. No, my family all moved from the area. The nearest is now half a country away and hasn't spoken to me in over ten years.

assistant: The virus is hard. along with the season

user: It's been... interesting.

assistant: You must have friends around, right. have you contacted any How long ago did your dad pass away

user: Ahhh... I hate to be that guy, but I really don't have that many friends. I have a couple people at my church who have checked in, but I wouldn't go so far as to call them friends (we don't hang out, I don't get invited over...) I was in college. He died slowly and painfully. It was really unpleasant. And he was a brilliant man. I could only wish to be half of what he was.

assistant: That can cause loneliness as well. What about seeing if your family will chat and let them know you ae ok

user: I don't even have contact information for them anymore. The last known phone numbers have been disconnected and the last time I sent mail, it was returned for wrong address, no forwarding information known. I think they forgot about me.

assistant: Comparing yourself to others can be a positive and give you reason to strive more

user: The only one I still have contact with is my mother.

assistant: Have you checked to see if she is ok

user: I avoid comparing myself to others. I usually come out on the bad side of it. I talk to her regularly. She is okay, but I fear she is reaching the age where I know I won't have her much longer.

assistant: But use your dad as inspiration

user: I'm just thankful I have had her this long That I do. While I will never have the skills my father had technically, I am thankful that I did get his ability to be analytical and his compassion for others.

assistant: See that is a positive thing. You both need each other That is great to hear. He is a role model for you

user: Absolutely. I still remember him teaching me things that I use to this day. I still smile when I think of one time when he first became ill and couldn't get out of bed... there was a project he wanted to do and it bothered him that it had not gotten done. Well, I was able to do it, because he had taught me enough to know what to do.

assistant: That is a positive in itself. Keep his legacy going through you

user: The look of pride in his face was priceless.

assistant: And you have that memory to live by

user: The one thing I carry on because of him is my love for my church. He was on the church vestry (governing board). I am on my church worship team.

assistant: His smile is in your heart and you can still feel him

user: I actually made church history, because I sing with the praise team (some churches call that a choir), but I sing many of the songs in American Sign Language. I am the first signing member of the church.

assistant: See that there in itself is a reason to smile

user: 2021 will be the 50 year anniversary of our congregation. I joined just over ten years ago. My church is my anchor.

assistant: You are a positive for your church. Not many can sign language

user: My pastor is wonderful. He is like the little brother I didn't have but always wanted.

assistant: That is awesome. See you have a purpose I imagine he is missing his big sister

user: My favorite story about signing in the church is how it began... I had asked to do it and had been shot down cold six times. Well, I laugh now, but at the time I was angry. If you mean me, I'm male. But the last time I was told I could not sign for the church, I told the elder who said no that God was going to give him a sign.

assistant: But your determination kept your dream alive.sorry big brother You are a very determined person. Don't let the fire die inside your heart

user: Well, God delivered on the promise quickly. That same who morning we had a family visit who were on a road trip. They just were passing through but wanted to go to church while travelling.

assistant: The Lord is using you to each others/

user: They had a little girl about 6 or 7 years old who was Deaf. She saw me sitting in the back of the sanctuary signing the lyrics to the songs, and praying in Sign. Her face lit up and she started signing too. At the end of the service, she found me and gave me a big hug around my legs and then looked up and said "I always wanted to go to a church where someone knew MY language!"

assistant: God placed you there for that little girl

user: From that point on, there was no problem with me signing in church. I think He placed her there for me, also. It was a mutual deal. There is no one in my congregation at the moment who signs, but I keep hoping for the future.

assistant: You have a calling on your life. Don't let the dream die

user: No. That mission has been placed on my heart.

assistant: He will use you in mighty ways

user: Well... I should be going, but thank you for taking the time to chat.

assistant: Ok. Hope I was of help I am a Christian also

user: You definitely were. I am feeling better than I have in about a mo nth. I appreciate that. God put you here tonight for a reason

assistant: God loves you.

user: Of this I have no doubt.

assistant: Glad iI was here.

user: I am actually in the process of studying catechism with my pastor, and plan to be re-confirmed.

assistant: Live the dream and seek Him always

user: I was confirmed in a different denomination as a child, but I learned nothing. One day I realized that I have no knowledge of the faith, and that did not sit well with me.

assistant: Be Blessed for He lives inside of you

user: So I am changing that and not just paying lip service to Jesus, but actively seeking Him.

assistant: Are you saved

user: Absolutely.

assistant: Seek Him everyday He is my 1st in the morning

user: I was not always. I drifted a few years back. My church family gave me a gift and sent me to a religious retreat at a resort owned by my church denomination. It was there and in that moment that I came back to God.

assistant: God has away to bring His sheep back. He knew you and did not give up on you I fell away for 15 years, but He opened my eyes.

user: I try to go each year, as it's an annual retreat. I missed this year because of COVID, but hoping for next year. I was going to take a friend from out of state. He couldn't attend due to the pandemic. But if all goes well, next year will be different. It was about 15 years for me, as well. I was never far away, just not close enough, if you know what I mean.

assistant: Your a gift from God to the world

user: I left my childhood church because it turned into a false church, and it no longer teaches God's word. I still pray for them daily that they can realize what they are doing, repent and turn it around.

assistant: We were always close but He knew the time to bring you home Even though we are locked down can you sign online for a church

user: It took years to find a church that God wanted me to be with, but I have found my church family, and I love them. I am closer to my church family than I am to blood relatives.

assistant: Does your church have online services

user: Due to technical issues, I can't sign for my church, but I do have the pleasure of streaming the service each week, so I can still see my pastor, hear his message, and worship.

assistant: So you are still plugged in the church

user: Because of the way the feed is set up, I can not participate unless I am at the church building, and I need to wait until I am clear of the COVID infection first.

assistant: My church is miles away but I still hear the message every Sunday

user: I watch the service live each week. Actually, I have told the pastor I have gotten spoiled and like the online streaming because I can watch the service again, later. There are days when I am closed up in my room wanting to feel sorry for myself that I take great comfort in watching the service again.

assistant: Can you send messages so the church knows you r ok

user: I do, and my pastor is wonderful about chatting with me on Facebook every day or so. Just a couple weeks ago, he brought me a giant care package full of food and snacks to help keep me going and relieve the boredom.

assistant: can you sign language the service and send it back for the church to reach others

user: No... I'm not fluent enough for that. I do the songs because I can research them and practice ahead. I can't interpret.

assistant: Do u have away to record the service and sign language. Sign language the songs

user: I am blessed to have friends who give me technical advice. I have a friend who is a certified interpreter who has sent me video showing me the correct way to sign certain songs.

assistant: So you have a way to sign for others.

user: At the moment, I have no way, but that's okay. Since there is no one in the congregation who signs at the moment, I am not needed in that role.

assistant: You are Just like that little girl

user: I have no doubt if there were someone depending on me to get the message across, God would have shown us a way to get me streamed in. I will be where He wants me to be and serve Him as he chooses to use me.

assistant: Ask and you will receive

user: True

assistant: You are very gifted.

user: I just received a message saying our time is running out. But thank you. It has been wonderful chatting with you. God has used you to lift me tonight and remind me what it important. Thank you for that blessing.

assistant: Ok Be blessed. Have a Merry Christmas

user: You too, thank you.