My Bipolar Journey

As I mentioned in a previous blog, my father was amazingly supportive during my manic and depressive episodes. He never judged and understood that it was not me, it was an altered reality based on a mental illness. He co-signed for a house giving me the opportunity to get back on my feet after ruining my credit status. He was the finest man to walk the face of the earth. I would tell people that my father was perfect and the response was typically ” nobody’s perfect ” But he was in my eyes. He started working in the mail room at The Steel Company of Canada and worked his way up to Accounting Manager, Eastern Region. He taught me about work ethic, honesty and helping others.

After he retired, he went back to school at Concordia and got a degree in theology. He then became a deacon at St. Luke’s Church. He served the church and the community until he left this world. His official title was The Most Reverend Deacon James Thompson. But he was humble and spent the vast majority of his time helping others in the community.

When he died in 2006, it was like my world fell apart. He guided me, helped me financially, and always knew what to say in any given situation. After he left us, things never seemed the same. I will never forget him.