Shine a Light on Life

Just love this ….

This is how I start my day off. Helps me tremendously. I hope it can for one of you.

One day soon..

Shine a Light on Life updated their business hours.

My dad was an addict. He died from an overdose in 2018. I once got mad at him when his food stamp card was denied and I had to cover his groceries. It wasn’t about the money. I gave him a hard time when he broke my glass measuring cup. It wasn’t about the cup. He commented on a new haircut and I was enraged because he’d already seen it and I assumed he was too drunk to remember. It wasn’t about my hair. I drove him from doctor to doctor, from rehab to rehab, but I was frequently short tempered. Visibly put out by what he required of me. It wasn’t about the time. He was homeless for many years. He used to stand on corners with a sign and ask for whatever money or food people were willing to give. I loved him, but I was frequently embarrassed by him. I was mad about my childhood and what bled into my adulthood, and I found any way to take it out on him. He’s gone now and I’m not mad at him anymore. I’m mad at how much I let my inability to forgive him affect our relationship. Now he is free and I’m chained, weighed down by all the grace I couldn’t bear to give a person who so wholly was in need of it. Give forgiveness. Because my regret over withholding it is stronger than all the anger I felt throughout the years.

- Scarlett Longstreet

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/billy-idol-opens-up-about-addiction-nearly-losing-leg-in-accident-i-could-have-died-190059085.html

Billy Idol opens up about addiction, nearly losing leg in accident: 'I could have died' "I needed to get ahold of myself. I was going to kill myself, or I was going to go crazy, or be locked up forever," the rock star says of his 1990 epiphany, which inspired his new single.

I started this FB page to share Casey's journey...
I am very (extremely, elated, ecstatic...the feelings go on) happy to share that he is doing remarkably well. There was a maturity about our conversation tonight that leaves me smiling. He's tending to his own life in a healthy way and I couldn't be happier. It hasn't been perfect, but he has negotiated the ups and downs without giving in/// and that is all I could ask for. It is not easy to overcome and I am very proud of what Casey has accomplished. I miss being on the west coast but just know I think of you everyday and I Love you!

Busy Living Sober

"Why can't you just stop _______?" The age-old question asked by people who don't understand that addiction is a disease, not a choice. Thank you, LiveScience, for breaking it down in your recent article.

I am so grateful for my two oldest sons accomplishments in their daily fight for sobriety. However, I tend to post about the good stuff. Reminds me that there are so many posts on FB that mislead one into thinking how great someone's life must be when in reality we all face many challenges in life. So here goes... the SAL on Life logo has 3 initials...tcr...representing my 3 sons, Ty, Casey and Ryne. I have not shared an update on Ryne since I started this group. I think I just realized that. It has been too painful to recount, but I received a letter from Ryne in the mail today. Ryne was defiant to any one in authority...he has been in Bootcamp, wilderness therapy, rehab or jail for the past 2-4 years. The last year has been in jail. He's a mere 20 years old. He is facing very serious criminal charges now that may keep him incarcerated for 10 years of his life. Yes, a decade of his young life may be spent in jail. This is not easy to share. I can't begin to express how that reality of this situation devastated me. Drug induced, immature and impulsive decisions that have potentially cost him dearly. I have been struggling with what this means for his young life and future. I have nightmares and find it difficult to cope unless I choose to just not think about it. I find comfort knowing he is alive and there can be a life ahead of him after he pays the dues. When I was at a very low moment, my oldest told me " God has plans for Ryne." I was calmed and awed by the epiphany in which he was so confident. I wasn't so sure until I read the letter today. I will finish this post with an excerpt from the first letter I have received from Ryne in over 2 years.

RYNE: " I got arrested last year, I'm almost grateful for this time to prioritize the things I'm concerned with. I wanna say this literally scared the teenager out of me. I'm finding more reasoning in the way I act. The impulsiveness has finally found its match to balance me out. I'm grateful you answer my phone calls. Hearing your voice does me good. Your calls benefit me with a smile to walk around with."

I am taking a really deep breath right now. This is my favorite picture of all of Ryne. I can't seem to download it from my photo library. I'd love to have a printed copy. I think Tabitha Wright-Kernodle took this photo. If you still have it...will you send it to me?

Almost a month since I have been in California on assignment and providing a little support for Casey while I am here. Well.. I am proud to say Casey is working a full time job and is taking courses at the local college. I have a college student! Ty is over 6 months sober now and started a new job recently. Congratulations for staying sober one minute at a time!

I had a most timely blessing of being able to work in California for the next several months. This blessing allows me to be close to Casey as he figures out next steps. Together I hope we can put a sober-successful living plan in place. He loves California. What's not to love? High cost of living and limited parking aside...:) Haha...

Busy Living Sober

Recovery can be an overwhelming process. Whether you're just starting out or in long term recovery, it's important to set boundaries to help you maintain sobriety. Listen to Elizabeth Levis Chance's latest podcast to hear more about the value of boundaries.

Busy Living Sober

“I don’t want you to bury your kid, so I’m going to tell you like it is. With this disease, you don’t have time to waste,” says Palermo-Reddy, also known as the .

Busy Living Sober

Shine a Light on Life wants to reinforce with everyone that IT IS OK to talk about addiction. Let us be leaders demonstrating to all to never be ashamed of this disease that has a hold of their life.

A tragic loss. "Nelsan was ashamed of his addiction and thus was reluctant to talk about it during his life," the statement said. "His family, however, believes that in death he would want his life to serve as a cautionary tale in an attempt to help others."

Mom Shares Late Daughter’s Poem About He**in Addiction

https://www.yahoo.com/beauty/mom-shares-late-daughters-poem-he**in-addiction-210729832.html

This reality of the affect of he**ine on our children keeps me up at night.

yahoo.com It was a parent's worst nightmare for Brian and Bridget Farrell when their daughter Delaney, 23, OD'ed from he**in and died recently.

I was recently interviewed by a MU journalism student, Kristin Blake, who wrote an article about the He**ine epidemic as part of her studies. She independently reached out to me because I sent my condolences to a young woman's family who lost their bright young daughter to a he**ine overdose.

I live this possibility everyday and had to share my empathy for the incredible loss this family is experiencing. Kristin was sincere and truly cared about what she was documenting. She asked my permission to talk to my sons. I said "Of Course". Let's not be silent about this epidemic. The only one available to chat was my oldest Ty and he openly shared his experience with his struggles with he**ine addiction. Today, she sent me her article and I want to share it. It's not easy for me to read, but I will share it soon.

Celebrating this accomplishment for my oldest son. Ty is 6 months clean and that's a huge accomplishment. Continuing to pray for sobriety.

Cops: 2 deadly overdoses within hour in same Gwinnett neighborhood

This is so hard to read. Devastating. But we must be aware.
http://www.ajc.com/news/local/cops-deadly-overdoses-within-hour-same-gwinnett-neighborhood/SRiK7nfkjbhwsIZ3SyEGjO/

ajc.com Gwinnett County police are investigating two fatal drug overdoses that occurred within an hour of each other in the same Lawrenceville neighborhood.