When I drive past the overly thin man relentlessly walking the streets downtown with his backpack and uncomfortable smile on, my stomach turns and my heart breaks for you.

 

When I walk past the local mission service house with desperate people loitering outside, my stomach turns and my heart breaks for you.

 

When I park in front of the therapist’s office, next to one of your series of attorneys’ offices, surrounded by housing for people on permanent mental illness disability, standing in their doorways, staring at cars and people or off into vacant space, my stomach turns for you and my heart breaks for you.

 

When I am faced with the reality of our son’s lacking education as a result of your bad behavior, my stomach turns for him and my heart breaks for him.

 

When I am staring at my financial reality as a result of my misplaced trust in you, my stomach turns for our son and me, and my heart breaks for our son and me.

 

Yet, every day I awaken with a new sense of hope for our son’s and my future.

 

Every day, I am able to see grace and beauty and potential.

 

Every day, I can feel our son and myself getting stronger and more confident.

 

Every day, I am blessed with being surrounded by the support of my family, friends and surrounding communities.

 

Every day, I wonder at the miracles and tragedies all around us.

 

Every day, I am grateful for all of the little moments of happiness,hard work, and challenges. 

 

Even on days when I wonder how we can possibly get through any of this, I am grateful.  Painfully heartbroken and sad, but grateful.

 

Because all of these things mean that we are alive and full of love.

 

This is an amazing, strange, weird, awesome life. 

 

I pray that all of us can do this gift some justice.

 

Love, Ms Herisme xo