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As we approach the holiday season with Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza next week, I am doing my annual bump of this thread in memory of my friend(s) and to help those still battling their own way. Each year, I advocate those around me to reach out if they need anything, literally any time, but a few weeks ago, I realized I was doing so without providing much credibility of myself. So here;'s a bit of my backstory WARNING: Emotional post ahead. In 2016, about two months before I had made the original post, I was diagnosed with the early stages of PTSD. It was a freaking nightmare to be in the middle of a store and have to stop walking because I felt overwhelmed. My wife and I were walking down an aisle, looking at cereal, and I froze dead in my tracks, gripped the cart white knuckle tight and struggled to breathe. After what felt like an eternity, I was able to tell her I need to leave and we eventually left the store. A few days or weeks went by and we were watching Stranger Things and during the scene where they pull fake Will from the quarry, it played the same song from the end of 'Lone Survivor' (blacked out for any possible spoilers, three full years later, lol) and again I lost my mind, uncontrollably sobbing. I couldn't even get the words out to my wife, other than saying "I need help." The next day, I went right in to mental health on base, terrified anyone would find out or I'd see someone I'd recognize, but I knew I had to go, I couldn't live like that anymore. Add to it multiple suicides of close friends after I had started treatment, and let me tell you that I was beyond thrilled I had someone to confide in and be able to, for lack of a better term, dump my problems on. Now, the point of that anecdote isn't to garner sympathy, its to show how it is possible for anyone to recover. I went from being a person who lived in a world of fear that the slightest thing would trigger an attack to, in just a few months, I was able to at least control when those things happen. I WANT TO HELP. Literally anyone, if you need someone to blow off steam to, for fvck's sake message me on here and I'll give you my number and we can chat or even talk on the phone. I've been shot at on the ground, shot at in the sky and held my friends so damn tight when they've landed cause it was an absolute miracle they survived getting shot at. I've held one of my friends who's been overseas with me each time I've gone when he was drunkenly broke down over everything he's been through and me just telling him "i get it" was enough to look at me with that confused look as if to say "really?" and I just nodded back then we shared stories sitting in the parking lot of a hotel. We all have our baggage (from military, first responders, to every day people, we're all the same), hell this team can drive us to the emotional point of exhaustion from stress, it is absolutely not a sign of weakness to reach out to people to talk about it, or even just to ask for help. Lastly, as I wrap this marathon post up and sip a beer following another tough loss, a group I've reached out to work with is the Mental Health League (https://mentalhealthleague.com/). Its just starting up, and a few of their "teams" are just starting up, but the idea is to win more days than you lose, treating recovery like a fantasy sports league. I've volunteered to be the Point of Contact for their PTSD team once enough people to sign up for it, but told them I'm absolutely willing and able to help anyone that needs an ear. In closing, you can see the previous posts and know how much mental health means to me. I wish all of you nothing but the best this holiday season. Hope you and your families have a happy and safe (insert your specific celebratory holiday here), and maybe we all can share a beer sometime together. Merry Christmas & let's go Devils. -Jag

You’re a good man, Jag. Not enough people like you out there.

Normally, I'd put an off topic post in another sub, but I feel it is important enough to post here. As the holidays arrive, please, look out for one another, including your friends and family. This time of year is rough for some as they don't always feel included or just feel like they aren't valuable to anyone. I bring this up because about 24 hours ago, I found out a coworker whom I looked up to and went to often for advice took his life in his home, leaving behind a family. He tragically becomes the fourth person I know this year to take their own life. I had no clue. He was always funny, laughing, telling stories and never gave any indication that something was wrong. I'm writing this to remind everyone that there is always another answer. There is always someone out there who is 100% willing to talk, about anything, if you're feeling awful and like there is now help. I'm not looking for sympathy, I just HATE feeling like I'm a bystander, so if you're having problems or whatever, direct message me here, find me on twitter [its the same as my handle here] or any other way and I'll be there to help. Below are contact information for groups of people who are also willing to help and are just an anonymous phone call away. National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 [This is also the recommended number for Veterans' Suicide Prevention] In Canada each province has their own, but here is a link to find the one you may live in http://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/ Please please please look out for one another, if anything, we all have the thread of being Devils' fans in common. Never know, that small bond could end up being the ice breaker that could save someones live. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and any other holidays being celebrated this time of year! All the best & Let's go Devils, Jag

Wow Jag...all I’ve got to say is that I’m glad you’re not only a part of this community, but here in this world. We’re all better for knowing you. And as someone who once struggled with severe depression (and though I’m in much better shape now, it never really goes away entirely, at least not for me), if you ever feel like you need help or should talk to someone...don’t hesitate. Don’t hope that it will just go away on its own, or worry that people will think you’re weak for not “sucking it up”. Get help, talk!

Jags, Awesome post my brother ! Huge thumbs up............... Happy Holidays..............

Great and appropriate post! All of us have folks in our lives that are troubled and you'd never know it.

It's like listening to a dumbed down version of Jesse Ventura for three hours.

Also many a game now has to be watched on mute because Daneyko is just unlistenable. Can we please get somebody in there that has an appealing voice? It's bad enough we're losing and on top of that our color guy barks like a rottweiler.

I can deal with losing, I just hate being out of playoff contention so damn early in the season. At least if they are somewhat in the hunt it makes it more exciting but this is just brutal. At least I was a STH for all the good times. I feel bad for the fans around me that are younger and haven't experienced even a playoff series win at this point. There are several first time full season ticket holders around me this season and with how this season is gone I don't blame any of them if they don't renew. Just sucks that this team started with the potential to lock in a lot of new people but have blown it with how this season has gone.

Well there’s a game tonight. CBJ isn’t very good either, but they actually just beat the Caps, and they always have our number anyway. Probably gets ugly tonight. I would normally never miss a weekend Devils game in Columbus, but between a family Xmas party, and just being all around apathetic about this team right now I won’t be there. Thought about making the trek up just to see Hughes in person, but decided against wasting my money. Anyway, LGD...I guess?

With retiring numbers it's pretty simple. If you didn't think someone deserved it within a few years after they stopped playing (except for weird circumstances, like the Devils making a point to retire Stevens first so Daneyko had to wait) than you shouldn't be retiring it ever unless the player did something amazing after his playing career like cure cancer or kill Bin Laden.

I don’t think many people would laugh at retiring a player’s number who has the franchise record for games played. At least not for a team that’s been around any significant amount of time. Dano has more games played than either one of those guys, and unlike either of them it was all for one team. you don’t always have to play Devils advocate...

Muscle memory lol

He didn't get any dumber presumably - and this is a guy who 2 years ago put up 59, hell I'd take last year's 39 or whatever it was. He didn't dumb his way into scoring that much. And he's still only 30. The point was given his age, it was a thought where - he has two years left on the deal - perhaps he needs to train differently for the last (presuming) 5-7 years of his career. Not so much strength, but for leaness and speed. Like I said - he didn't get dumber, lost a half a step - maybe. See what losing some pounds does. If he could find a way to put up 40 points, I think we all would accept some mistakes here and there. it's when you don't get the points, then wtf are we doing?

I was traveling and got to listen to the radio. Man, I miss Chico's honesty and emotional responses on the broadcast.

My wife rocks my Marty that I bought in like 1997, I think its a Starter haha

I hate them, I don't like the green at all, never have and never will. Should have let the past stayed buried but I get the $$$ aspect of it.

Coleman has NO QUIT!

in hindsight it's really a good thing that Kovy walked. Giving a 15 year contract to a guy who is older than you think is not a good recipe.

I've shared my story here some time ago, but there was a time where I was suffering from severe depression, and all I'll say about it is that it is incredibly serious, and can be crippling and even physically painful. If you think you might have a problem, talk to someone, get help. Don't ignore it, think it will just go away on its own, or try to be "strong and silent".

CBJ's are a heavy team, all about hitting, wearing you out. Causing turnovers. LGD's

Who the hell is Timex?

We have lost 7 straight to Columbus, we last beat them Dec 5th 2017 in Columbus. Zajac also is going to pass Scott Stevens to move into 4th in games played for the Devils tonight with 957.

All of a sudden 12 years into a career - his vision is the problem? I am just not buying that. If anything - he maybe a tad slower than he used to be, and it's causing the decision he used to make a lot - to not go the way they used to. If you want to say he needs to think the game differently at his age, I can buy that -or I am wondering if the muscle is slowing him down at 6-1 210, where maybe he can get a half step from being 6-1 200. As for "sooner they move on, the better" - his contract isn't movable. Best would be to try and revive him, and try to work with him and change him.

Nieds was obviously different and I'd have less of a problem with the team letting people wear #27 if they were actually vets coming into the team who wore the number already but this was Tallackson, Clarkson and Mottau lol I think we could have easily avoided giving those guys that number.

Keep those hands off my “member berries”!!

We should retire #9, but not for anyone. Just to not use it.

Sorry, my mistake, I meant SH (Satans Hockey), not you.

LOL sorry I was right about it being a Heritage game after all...don't know why it didn't show up as such on the promo list when I double-checked. At least it wasn't too bad - as far as Heritage games go - till they gooned their way into the 4-on-4 of doom. I gave Subban a bronx cheer for his secondary assist finally getting off the pointless schneid.

Absolutely agree, I don’t think it will ever go away, but is a hell of a lot more manageable, and that for me in itself a huge freaking relief. I never was put on medication nor was I told to stop flying when I went to talk and knowing my doctor had no intentions of stopping me from doing normal things also helped the recovery.

Yeah pretty sure I had to choke back vomit on that one...

Yeah, though the first two periods were kinda competitive. I’m not really annoyed, but I do get tired of the way teams like the Caps can just hit that “EASY” button whenever the mood strikes when they play the Devils. Sometime it’s early in a game, sometimes during the second...and then you get a game like last night’s. And I get SH’s general frustration...it just sucks that this team and this season were basically toast by November. Even some of the rotten 80s Devils could at least hang around into December (they’d usually fall apart sometime during that month). If/when Shero can find a way to get Mr. Lindsey off this team, that will feel like a serious win. I just don’t know how the hell he does it without retaining at least 2/3rds of his money, or giving up a decent body along with him. But this is a PK + body (or pick) + eating money for a 6th round pick kind of deal. Just to get him the fvck outta here. There’s guys who give more in alumni games.

It's Hall...if Arizona misses the playoffs, they're winning the lottery

He won't be traded until after February 16th because that's his bobblehead night but it sure would be fitting for this season to have a bobblehead night for a traded player lol

Subban really needs to go. Nashville absolutely knew he was done. Shero was played for a fool.

Sorry brother, one of these years I hope you're rewarded with something to actually enjoy night after night. You STH's certainly deserve better.

Greene and PK are amazingly not in the minus

Severson has become useless..

In Nashville sure, but Montreal? I don’t remember them being that stacked on defense.

He looks flat out terrible. No other way to put it. It’s a bummer, he was always one of my favorite non-Devils. Hockey needs more personalities like his, but man, his play has fallen off a cliff.

Especially they guy with 2 goals...

Maybe the Devils have realized that being a team and not relying on star power is the way to go.

Meh I hate photos like this, look at the clock it's the first 2 mins of the first period. That place is a pain to get into it if you're running late from work since it's all one giant parking lot. Plus the weather sucks outside. I bet it fills in a bit more as the first went on.

From Reddit: "He Drunk tweeted the New Finnish Prime Minister, asking for a picture of her Jussi Jokinen" Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

You’re a good dude, that deserves mentioning.

I certainly take it for granted, thanks for bringing attention to this..this time of the year can be very hard for some

Sorry about your co worker, very nice post, timely. Thank you

I'm so sorry to hear this jag. Good on you for posting this though- we do need to look out for one another and it's important to remember that there is always someone there to talk. Taking your own life is never the answer. My heartfelt condolences to you and your co-worker's family. [emoji26] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk