We are excited to announce that on Tuesday, July 18th REAL LIFE recognized 22 graduates who successfully completed the program. These 22 stories of redemption and growth are due to not only the REAL LIFE staff who have put their efforts into correcting, encouraging, employing, imparting wisdom on, and engaging with the lifers, but also to each Lifer who worked incredibly hard to get through such a rigorous program. It is the graduates themselves that desired change, trusted the process, fought against temptation, and focused on the good in life. And, it is the brotherhood and sisterhood within the program that has given joy in hardship, empathy in disconnection, and truth in falsity. The program, as stated by Dr. Scarbrough and echoed by Tauchanna, is purposefully challenging. REAL LIFE is not for those simply looking for a place to lay their heads at night. It is a program that requires an understanding of oneself, a need for a higher power, and a commitment to hope to yield results.
The significance of discipline was demonstrated by the stories of two that spoke during graduation, Senior Pathway Navigator Tom Young and his son Ty. In both situations, their environments had encouraged them to use drugs at some point in their lives. For Ty, it was his friend group from high school. For Young, it was being on the road between band performances. In both, they recognized their issues, determined to change, and planted themselves in a new setting. This change brought them to a new understanding of what is good and worth striving for. While it is impressive to perfectly perform at a show while under the influence, it is more fulfilling to sacrifice the present for the future and seek greater love found in relationships.
This was followed by spoken word by Donyel (graduate and REAL LIFE staff), singing by Chris Leitch, and drumming by Quentin (a REAL LIFE Grad), Ty and Young. As a close, Tauchanna gave a charge to the grads centered on Philippians 3:12-14 that states, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Jesus Christ has made me his own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” While the lifers should be celebrated for their graduation, they have not graduated from their recovery. And, while their efforts were and are not perfect, their recovery has become their own as they press on. Finally, they must replace shame from the past with hope for what lies ahead in both this life and beyond.
