For years, a very dear friend of mine struggled to find her place in the world. She was one of the most brilliant people I’d ever met. At the high point of her many achievements, she held a very high-powered position with the PGA Tour, where the C-suite, her clients, and other colleagues were regularly impressed by her creativity, intelligence, and charisma.
My friend, let’s call her Anne, continued to rise. Alongside her many talents and undeniable charm, though, Anne developed negative personality traits to protect herself against her closely and deeply held insecurities. Although she found herself at the top of her professional game, Anne had a history of broken relationships at work and in her personal life caused by those unexamined insecurities and character defects.
To avoid facing herself and that inevitable sting that comes from seeing one’s faults, Anne drank. Anne knew, somewhere deeply, that she had a role in the failed relationships and professional toxicity. Still, she’d always blamed others because that was easier than facing herself and taking responsibility for her own life and choices. In particular, she blamed her parents. She lost that fancy job, moved in with a guy, and separated herself from family and friends.
After I moved to Chicago, Anne called and left me a message saying that she had a gift for me. She would place it in the mail. On a road trip, she created an icon in crayon, pictured here. I was not only moved because of its beauty (in crayons, no less!) but because she had created it after she had reached a very low point. Raised in the church, she went seeking help. She became ready to face herself, to change, and to heal. She began the disciplined spiritual life of recovery, and things got better. She got better.
On this day of the Ascension of the Lord, I’m reminded of my friend, her crayon creation, the cross she bore, and the Easter life she now lives. There is no situation that is hopeless.
Thank you for your witness and your support of Episcopal Charities.
Easter Blessings to you,
Matt Berryman
Executive Director
Episcopal Charities
