2003 Letter

November

Greetings from Crossroads in Minnesota where we have experienced the longest drought in years. We are accustomed to lawns that are either green or white (snow), but brown was not that appealing. Also, our poor confused trees were dropping their leaves in August thinking it must be fall and the corn in the field was not “as high as an elephant’s eye.” Ah, what would we folks do if we didn’t have some weather condition to talk about at the end of the day i.e. “It was soooo cold outside today that when I went to blow my nose, it fell off.”

Crossroads continues as a residence for 55 men and women from throughout the nation who have completed treatment for chemical dependency and want a safe, supportive place to live. It is a home where everyone knows your name and your story. It is a place of acceptance where we talk about progress, not perfection. The support groups reinforce the importance of feeling connected and counselors are there to help unravel the mess that addiction creates. Our goal is to see our residents adjust to life without drugs and create a future filled with hope.

Addiction is devastating. It takes good men and women, young and old, from every strata of our society and transforms their lives from order to chaos. Some of the greatest people I know were once caught in the web of drug and alcohol dependence. A person cannot be who they want to be when the substance is in charge. It’s hard to imagine that we humans can be so controlled by this outside force. There are those who lose their grip on reality and drift from family, friends, and values. I hear myself screaming inside my head….. “Stop! Don’t you realize where this is going? Don’t you know what you are doing to yourself? Don’t you know what you are doing to those who love you? Wake up!” Then I remember the word ADDICTION and what it does.

A wonderful thing happened here a few months ago. One of our residents came to me with the idea of starting a “Crossroads Food Shelf” for fellow residents. How great was that? Now, when someone in our community struggles with finances and may not have enough money for food, it’s here for them. Slowly, other residents and alumni have added to the shelves. I am so proud and humbled by the care and concern given to one another. By the way, we would never allow anyone to go hungry.

Now another idea equally as special is taking place this December. A few weeks ago, a small group of people devoted to Crossroads and its program approached me. They told me of their intentions to have a gala benefit to help raise capital to restore and renovate our building. We have never had a benefit and while we have done a noble job of keeping things in working order, we have been limited financially and unable to do some of the larger projects that need attention. In addition, the city of Minneapolis is requiring changes to the building in order to comply with existing codes. You have probably already received your invitation, so please mark you calendars and prepare to start the holiday season on the 5th of December with a wonderful evening of “food, fun, and fellowship.”

In closing, I want to remind you that our need for financial assistance is always there. All residents pay for their stay themselves. We have no funds available to us from federal, state or county sources. Donations are tax deductible and over 95% of those donations go directly to the program. Through your help, Crossroads will remain accessible because it will be affordable.

Until my next epistle, may you “breathe in the fullness and richness of life.”