When yet again even one soul cries out for mercy
\nhow then can we not
\nrespond..<\/p>\n
I am very attached to words, in sounds and in print
\nin stories, and poems and in lyrics
\nhow they come together, to form a kind of magic
\nhow they can reveal in the gentlest of ways
\nor strike us at sharp angles
\nhow they can offer us .. to ourselves
\nin shadows, in mirror and in light
\nhow they connect,\u00a0 our minds and hearts
\nand indeed us
\nto
\neach other<\/p>\n
just recently my daughter introduces me to a song,
\nthat she has been playing at high volume
\nupstairs as she gets ready for the day
\ninstantly I am struck by the rawness and true beauty
\nof the lyric
\nin its vulnerability to speak the truth
\nand just how painfully it begs to sit
\nin my heart
\nthis song is called Sober by Demi Lovato
\na song about addiction, loneliness,\u00a0 powerlessness and failing
\nbut too,\u00a0 a song about honesty and realness
\nintelligence, bravery and
\nhope
\nand to my thinking true strength
\nin trying again<\/p>\n
Yesterday I come in from work hot and weary
\nthis week I’ve been feeling very, very tired
\nrather nonchalantly,\u00a0 I check in with my kids, look at notifications on my phone
\nand I see,\u00a0 \u201cDemi Lovato hospitalized after H\u201d (end of click bait sentence, that I can see)
\n\u201cWhat\u2019s up with Demi?\u201d , I say to my girls, hardly looking up
\n\u201cSuspected heroin overdose\u201d,\u00a0 they tell me
\na quick intake of breath, I stop
\nimmediately my hand goes to my heart,\u00a0 and I can already feel it starting
\nto break<\/p>\n
Today I can feel the weight of someone else\u2019s pain
\ngnawing away inside
\nand the tears just behind my eyes
\nnot even someone I really know
\nbut with addictions in my family, and addictions in my
\nfriends (few of us escape it entirely)
\nI am painfully aware of its true cruel nature
\nthe struggles and pitfalls that go with
\nas well as the great strength, courage and tenacity
\nthat it takes to
\novercome
\none very remarkable day at a time<\/p>\n
I am sad
\nI am sad for this girl who feels this kind of pain
\nthis loneliness, this kind of
\nunworthiness, this struggle
\nthis sense of
\nfailure (yet again)
\nand the need to say sorry for things out of one\u2019s control<\/p>\n
does it not become our own kind of failure
\nto watch someone fall
\nand not
\nat the very least
\ncare<\/p>\n
I am not a \u2018thoughts and prayers\u2019 kind of person
\nit feels so overused as a sort of
\n‘bought the t-shirt\u2019 kind of thing
\nbut I am indeed thinking of Demi Lovato today
\nand I am holding her in my heart
\nand from here I am offering love and kindness
\nto surround her<\/p>\n
and also to you,
\nwherever you are in your struggles
\nin life
\nI am wishing you well
\nI am wishing you strength and courage
\nand
\nhope
\nfor trying again..<\/p>\n
for better days<\/p>\n
as yet one more struggling soul cries out for mercy
\nhow can we
\nnot respond?<\/p>\n
it is with Love
\nwith gratitude
\nand with Kindness<\/p>\n
I do hope
\nthis finds you ..\u00a0 \u2665<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Demi Lovato – Sober<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When yet again even one soul cries out for mercy how then can we not respond.. I am very attached to words, in sounds and in print in stories, and poems and in lyrics how they come together, to form…
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