being present to the marginalized, poor, excluded . . . allows each individual to understand the grand reality - ‘that could be me or better yet, that is me.” We are all connected, everything belongs, and every wound we witness in another is an invitation to turn within and ask ourselves…’when did I feel that way and how can I be a part of the healing?’

My 49 year old brother is an alcoholic and began that journey with drugs in alcohol in middle school. In witnessesing his journey as an alcoholic - addiction was not a choice, but a release from the educational system that failed him as early as 8 years old. Being a year younger than him, I always asked myself….’why can I succeed and he can’t?’ I knew at a very early age, ‘that could be me’.
My brother carries the collective wounds of an educational system that could not accomadate his learning styles. His own son carries the wounds of his father that overflowed into his life as the child of an alcoholic…and the distructive cycle continues.

Instead of blaming the system or my brother, I have to ask myself everyday, ‘how can I be a part of the healing?’ I can not heal my brother or his son, or my mother’s grief. I can only remind myself to offer compassion to what presents itself for love.