Song 4

Hans from Stanwood, Washington shares his experience growing up in a chaotic household and battling depression. He felt ashamed to admit his depression and struggled to share his feelings with his friends. However, he found solace in his friendship with Ashley, who supported him through his struggles. Hans thanks Ashley and his friends for reminding him that life is a gift and friendship is a cure for difficulties. He dedicates the song "With or Without You" by U2 to Ashley. That was Stay on U2xRadio. I'm Hans from Stanwood, Washington, and these are five songs I desire most. My next song is With or Without You, Chapter 4. Growing up in a household of three brothers and three sisters, I was born right in the middle. It was chaos learning to become my own, and it wasn't easy. I dealt with depression in my teen years. My mind was full of insecurities that filled my mind with a negative depiction of who I was. I never wanted to be a negative thorn in anyone's side. At the time in the 90s, even talking about depression was a taboo. I felt that if you admit that you were depressed, then you were mental and was less than anyone else. Trying to hide it was not easy either. Even talking to a therapist, I was ashamed to admit my depression. Depression was a self-afflicting demon that I dealt with. The positive was that I did have my core of brothers from another mother's who were Ahmaud John, Mike, and my older brother Peter. However, it was hard to share my honest vulnerability with my buddies at that time. I will say God finds ways to help us cope through our struggles. I developed a great friendship with my friend Ashley. She was always there to listen even when I thought she was tired of me. Many times we would go early morning seminary and ended up at McDonald's instead. We would drive to the high school and we would listen to various CDs in which U2 was included. I asked her to prom and I did it with a song, With or Without You. I did it in an elaborate way of asking and that was way overboard and luckily to my fear, there was no rejection. She was one that kept me from the darkness and out of the depressive state of mind. Though later on in life, our paths went on our own adventures, as well as my buddies. The lasting impressions of kindness one gives can provide hope. There is a power of influence a person has in our lives, but when she saw that thorn twist in my side of depression, she helped me remember that life can go on regardless. Thank you, Ash, and my dear friends for seeing that life isn't a burden but a gift and a friendship is a cure for all that is difficult in life. Here is With or Without You from the Joshua Tree Owl.