Beauty For Ashes

The below sentiments are raw yet heartfelt and beautiful words from a member of The Well support group. Charlotte Parry joined The Well support group back in 2016 after the loss of her husband, John. Since that time, she has been involved with the support group and Hope United, attending meetings, volunteering her time, and giving back to others. The Well is a support group for families who have lost a loved one to addiction or overdose.

Last Wednesday evening, The Well support group held an “unofficial” meeting at the construction site of Tyler’s Redemption Place. There was a total of nineteen individuals in attendance. They created a circle in the main recreational area of the half-framed building with lawn chairs that they brought along. It was a beautiful, sunny evening. The birds chirping and the tree frogs singing were heard in the distance. It was an emotional time to gather and see the facility under construction, as this vision has been in the making for the past six years. After a brief meditation and time spent with the support group members sharing, the leaders invited them to write a personal message to their lost loved ones on the interior studs of the building. The heartfelt sentiments written with love will serve as the heart of the building once construction is complete.

Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing such a beautiful message and image (see tree below) about the experience. It’s a testimonial of a true “beauty for ashes” moment, instilling the belief that HOPE is alive… A compelling reminder that despite the destruction and sadness that life can bring, there remains the hope of goodness and beauty emerging from the depths of despair.

“Tonight, I witnessed something, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who did. Taking something so horrifically damaging to our souls and watching something so honest, loving, and giving blossom into a reality. A reality no one wishes or dreams of. Fighting for something so hard, so intense because love is so strong, it moves mountains. It also moves hearts - the group of friends we have made because of our grief. Grief so raw; we all know it. We all know how we feel. We all grieve differently, but it’s all the same grief. We grieve so hard because we loved and love so much. The love overflows from one to another. Because of our tremendous love for our loved ones in heaven, we fight to keep them alive in our hearts and others - knowing none of our loved ones died in vain. Knowing we have taken this terrible twisted pain in our hearts. We have weaved it into fundraisers, volunteering, and donating our time so that we can stand united against addiction. If we had the power, every one of us would bring our loved ones back without the addiction and pain they went through. We can’t. We aren’t God. Only God knows how to rescue our loved ones when despair, pain, and hopelessness are all they see.
Tonight was so special; it made my heart swell. A building being built of hope and love. Just walking into the shell of the building felt so powerful - with the gift of leaving a permanent message hidden within the frame of the building. Hidden in the heart of the building, as one of our group members says, our loved ones who passed away will forever be linked just as the people in The Well will. When the building is finished and up and running, knowing messages written from raw grief and love so strong will make us each feel a little bit of our loved ones there. I am so grateful for our group and love all in our group. I am so proud of all the ones who passed. They have a story to tell, and they are somebody. Because they may have felt like nothing and struggled with their own grief, fears, and demons, little did they know how much they were and are loved. Little did they know people would come together in their grief and part mountains to make their loved ones the basis of helping, teaching, and giving to others who are also struggling. Their lives were not in vain; they were somebody - intelligent, giving, and loving.
Only one other time did I feel this kind of power of God in my life, and it was when I walked into a church and said “this is where I feel God”. I felt it go through me, and I felt God’s presence. I felt the exact same thing tonight. God was and will remain there. Taking the terrible, twisted, painful tree, and it blossoms with all of us like leaves on that gnarled tree.
Thank you, Travis, Shelly, and Sue. Thank you to all in The Well.”

Thank you again, Charlotte, for sharing this powerful message. From my understanding, everyone who attended felt the same hope and peace. I have no doubt that so many lives will change through the doorways of Tyler’s Redemption Place. The memories of so many lost to the heinous disease of addiction will fuel the compassion, love, and support that will help so many others find long-lasting recovery.

The Well support group meets the first four Wednesdays of each month from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Grace Church - Akron East Campus - 737 George Washington Blvd in Akron.

For more information contact Shelly at 330-414-5960 or shelly@hopeunited.life.

Construction is continuing for the future Tyler’s Redemption Place – a Recovery Community Organization that will offer hope to individuals and families impacted by addiction. You can see the latest photos and updates on our website: www.hopeunited.life/construction-updates.

Want to learn more about Tyler’s Redemption Place, what will be offered, and WHY THIS MATTERS?
Check out the brochure that gives all of the details: www.hopeunited.life/recovery

I would be remiss if I did not mention that we are hosting a brick fundraiser to help fund Tyler’s Redemption Place. You can donate a brick to honor a loved one, leave message of hope, or give a lasting gift. These bricks will line the sidewalks to our future Recovery Community Organization located in Summit County. If you are interested, don’t wait – the deadline to have your brick installed by the completion of Tyler’s Redemption Place is July 15th.

Please visit the link below to donate a brick and pave the way for hope!

Donate a brick