I am working on the next round of recovery interviews and stories. I know these are tough-and there are more coming-but each story gives hope in what people survive. Recovery is possible and can lead to lives filled with higher purpose that make communities better.

There are also stories that don’t have the happy endings. As a mother, the interviews of losing a child to overdose are some of the hardest to do. The families are sharing the memories of loved ones to honor them and to save a few other families from this pain. That is courage and compassion.

Thank you for receiving these stories with open hearts and minds, often providing love and encouragement to the storyteller and each other-the way you always do. Addiction has hurt so many families, even if they never talk about it or show it on the outside.

Souls is a special community. I am grateful that we can cover the hardest sides of life here and learn from each other.

I appreciate all of you.

Lynn