A Moment of Awe
and an invitation to family recovery
Have you ever been struck by presence?
I’ve been real with you all lately on a deeper level.
Life is about so much more than how we categorize ourselves or squeeze our lives into a simple label.
She’s a mom.
Writer.
Woman in recovery.
Fill in the blank.
But we are more than these labels and identities. We are more than what we do (or don’t). Who we spend time with. What we spend our time doing. And sometimes God strikes us with a moment of awe when we are more than what the world says.
I shared my latest article (Lessons from Mr. Gardner) and I was surprised (in a good way) by your response. It moved my heart to hear how so many of my friends in recovery and our supporters connected with a story about more than addiction recovery. It was a story of becoming and of a sweet friend who shared an important lesson about life and service with me.
We need these stories today.
We need simple reminders that the moments of our lives are building towards something. There is a destination beyond the smoke that is ripe with meaning and possibility.
It’s in this spirit that I’d like to share something that’s been on my heart waiting for you in my notes app.
[btw, these are some of my favorite times, these spontaneous scribbles]
Struck by presence
Awe takes flight like a bird.
Dipping talons, toes in the sand, a trillion worlds bloom into being.
Sky chirps yes.
What is it about your existence that makes me at the same time doubt and wonder:
Freedom
Captivity
Truth
Death
Joy
Fire
Cycles of awe—struck.
Is it in your imagination that we play work live love die in?
Or does your love, like ice cream dripping,
Dream?
Like embers or my fingertips burn?
Power in presence.
Existing.
Lord,
Bring me into the wave of your presence, despite the dark.
Lead me into crystalline delight.
For one moment with you is worth it.
What’s on your heart?
Do your prayers drop onto the page (or in your notes app or on the lovely Substacks?)
I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a message.
I’d also love to see you at this amazing upcoming event: Family Recovery Summit: Empowering Families on the Path to Healing.
The Family Recovery Summit is a transformative online event dedicated to supporting families affected by addiction. It brings together 27 experts, including addiction specialists, therapists, recovery coaches, authors, and individuals with personal experiences, who will be sharing their insights, strategies, and personal stories to empower families on their journey to healing.
As someone who has followed my work and been a part of this community, I wanted to personally invite you to join me at this incredible event. Together, we can explore topics such as relationships, communication, boundaries, finding support, compassion, spirituality, harm reduction, codependency, grief, as well as the power of compassion, mindfulness and self-care.
I am truly honored to have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences, and I believe this summit will provide valuable insights and tools for all attendees.
Here are a few key details about the Family Recovery Summit:
Dates: July 24-31
Format: Online sessions accessible from anywhere
Audience: Families affected by a loved one’s addiction, individuals in recovery, recovery professionals, and anyone seeking support, addiction education, and guidance
Theme: Breaking the Silence, Shattering the Stigma, Restoring Hope and Saving Lives
What do family recovery and poetry have in common?
Everything, I’d argue. :)
Maybe you will find your moment of awe here.