Wishing you serenity and peace

Several years ago, a mother wrote to me: I just read your book Stay Close and would like to know how Jeff is doing now. In reading your book, your family became an extension of my own as my son continues to battle his own addiction issues. I do hope and pray that all is well and that your family has found peace and contentment.

In 2006, on Christmas Eve, I wrote: “When Jeff didn’t come home for our large Italian family gatherings, no one knew what to do or say. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends didn’t know whether to ask about my addicted son or whether it would be kinder to leave him out of the conversation. At Christmas Eve Mass, my older brother leaned toward me and asked softly, ‘How’s Jeff?’ I swelled with tears, tried to speak, but no words came. He nodded and turned toward the altar. I kept my head down and prayed.”

My reflection: Today, Jeff is nineteen years sober and healthy. We know how lucky we are, and we are grateful every day that Jeff came home to himself, to us, and to his God.

Today’s Promise to Consider: The holidays often put our struggles center stage and make them excruciatingly public. The reality is that our lives are not always as joyful as we wish they would be.

Today, let us avoid that painful place by being compassionate with ourselves, with others, and with those we love. Let us find serenity in honesty and prayer.