I Didn't Know What the Words Meant or Anything...Collegiate Recovery Housing Shinning Lights

Points of light have been guiding travelers forever. On Christmas Eve the Three Wise Men story comes to mind. There are millions of travelers pursuing their own shining light today. In the world of Collegiate Recovery Living, places like Aaron's House and Connect House and Pres House Step Up are shining stars in Madison, WI. Because there are people in the world who trust people with their money or prayers, and there are people who are brave enough to go ahead in spite of obstacles and detractors to get something done where nothing existed, miracles happen.

To know what substance use recovery housing is about, imagine these two scenes: Today there are parents who's son or daughter is so far into a drug addiction that they fear this is their last Christmas Eve. Nothing matters. The Season is pain filled. Joy is gone. Darkness grips the parents, siblings, grandparents, and the addict.  There are families who were there exactly 1 year ago. Today the light of Christmas has joyful meaning. There son or daughter is alive. They live, not at home, but with peers who know the life of recovery. The young adult will be home for Christmas and involved in the family celebration. They do the work. Aaron's House or Connect House is the place where people live while they get well. These homes aren't magic, but the miracles of recovery happens in them. The generosity of others doing God's will allows the houses to happen. Next Christmas, Pres House will be the third location offering the miracle of recovery housing to college students in Madison. All three locations grew from one young man who loved Christmas.

A song is playing by Lyle Lovett while I write and I know why I love this line: The wind blows the echoes of long faded voices. Aaron Meyer's words of "a place to live with guys in recovery, going to school, getting jobs, and supporting each other while seeing our counselors" would be just echoes as I lose recall of Aaron's fading voice. In 2005 I didn't know what his words meant or anything, I was just pressing to keep my connection with my son. Thanks to everyone who made collegiate recovery housing happen in Madison we all know what Aaron's words meant and everything. There's nothing so sweet as the appreciation of a young person in recovery and the words of thanks from them and their families. There's nothing so sweet this Christmas as the undying love of son who's soul never died.

Recovery Housing for College Students in Madison is my most favorite Christmas gift.

Anytime You Love Someone...

...you take a very big chance on getting some sorrow. Thank you Janis Joplin for the wisdom. Thank you Doc... for the days of wonder.

Simplicity In Dark Days

A sterling credit rating opens doors for us to opportunities to acquire.
A dull credit rating encourages us to be content with what we have and make do with what we've got.

The dark days of the economic recession left people with a new perspective. There is simplicity in less opportunity.

Upside Down Day

“Because we don't know when we will die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens only a certain number of times, and a very small number really. How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, an afternoon that is so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four, five times more, perhaps not even that. How many more times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps 20. And yet it all seems limitless.” 
― Paul Bowles

Pancake, eggs, bacon... That's an upside down day dinner. The boys loved upside down dinner. I heard from a mom who was making this for her family tonight. The image sent a memory skipping across my mind and triggered a fragment of the above quote from A Sheltering Sky.  

I'm listening to a harvester take out the corn in the dark. For a couple of weeks now the machines have rumbled into the night. There is much life in the country in early November. These are special days. And then it ends and the fields are quite catching snow, rain, and wind for months.  The earth gives abundantly. I wonder if I will hear another harvest? I know it will go on regardless of my presence.