I was down, troubled, and in distress. I felt alone, depressed, and sad. I thought no one was there to pull me out of my anguish and misery… but then I realized I still have my Father, who loves me unconditionally despite all the wrongs I have done.Holy Week made me reflect more about the time when Jesus was praying in Gethsemane, before He was betrayed by Judas. In Mark 14:32-42, I realized how Jesus felt so alone and helpless at that time. He brought with him three disciples, but they fell asleep, leaving him to deal with his own agitation, sorrow, and pain. The mere fact that Jesus felt the same struggles that I – and many of us – are feeling today is a reflection of the constant stigma of mental health.I am not implying Jesus or any person feeling lonely is crazy, what I am saying is that feeling alone in times of great sorrow is something that should not be taken for granted. If Jesus felt it, then we, as humans, are not immune. Even if there are people surrounding us, they may be too busy with other stuff they could not care less about what we are going through. The sleeping disciples symbolize the people who are blind with what is really happening in society they cannot sense the true feelings of the person they are with.However, no matter how much Jesus – or we – may be going through, there is the Father who will always calm our senses. This realization after going to church last Sunday made me think about my previous ordeal and how I dealt with them.There have been many times when I was so lost I didn’t know where to go. I felt alone, like Jesus did, even if I had people I consider “friends and family.” Perhaps what really urged me to go on were my fathers – both the Father in heaven and my biological dad played significant roles for me to rise from the dark pit.I remembered my dad trying so hard to keep me on hand, even if I tried to push him away. I was in deep pain that I even had to go away from him. I was so lost, I did not know the right path anymore. I was miserable and chose to carry my burden all alone without anyone’s help. Then I remembered why I lived, and that it is because God the Father has a purpose for me… and that is for me to become my father’s daughter.Knowing how much a daughter is really worth and valued by her father comes with a new encouragement and positivity in life. I must hold on to the people who are not sleeping, but those who are willing to sacrifice staying awake just to see me through the darkest moment of my life… just like my dad. What a lonely person must do in order to be reborn is to find his or her own purpose, like I did. The purpose may vary but every purpose is equally important.Just like what Jesus did in Gethsemane, I also surrendered everything to God the Father because He is, and will always be, the refuge of my lost soul. Even if people are sleeping, God is awake and always there to listen and accompany a crying and grieving heart. He understands what loneliness is better than anyone else and, thus, we must return to be with Him in the light. No one is alone. No one can ever be alone because the Father is always present and sees everything. Trust in Him and all will be well./WDJ