Itās an understatement to say that I count myself blessed in so many ways. I am extremely blessed because of my relationship with my children. Why? Because I was incarcerated for seven…
Gritty Life Issues
It is possible to survive being homeless and get back on your feet. I have been homeless six times in my life. I was homeless three times as a youth, not including…
Dear Friend, When this issue was being planned, we counted on an interview with one of our readers. She had just gotten an apartment after two years of living in her car.…
I have worked with people struggling with addiction for the past eighteen years. In that time, I have noticed that a lot of shame is attached to people who struggle with addiction.…
We caught up with Bobbi-Jo at the office of Healing House in Kansas City last June. Sheās been a friend of Reach UP, giving away thousands of magazines throughout each year to…
I was a liar, a loser, and a thief. I was a drug addict and alcoholic. I stole from my friends and my family. Thatās who I was. It is not…
My friend, Have you ever watched a boxing match? I can remember the cute twinkle in my sweet grandmaās eyes when I caught her watching boxing. I never would have guessed that…
My coffee cup says, āChaos Coordinator.ā Life at work and home does not follow a tidy pattern. I am good at organizing, but you couldnāt tell by looking at my office or…
If addiction could talk, what would it say? ā¦ donāt forget you need me today ā¦ and of course I will take all your pain away! If addiction could talk, what would…
At some point it happens. You find yourself taking care of your kids, or someone elseās kids, or an adult with complicated health issues. Hereās what Iāve learned since Iāve been taking…
