Voices of Now

Tonight I went to a community event at the Arena stage. The Wendt Center, a local agency that provides grief and loss services, organized Voices of Now an autobiographical play about the teen ensemble cast's experiences of dealing with death.

The work was gripping. I welled with tears at the bravery with which these youth confronted the myriad of feelings associated with losing a loved one. Their words swept across the audience and ignited a flurry of tissues being pulled out and passed around to soak up the emotion that flooded the theater.

I was proud. I was happy. I was sad. I was encouraged to remember my past, both my own losses and my work as a counselor, and also moved to think about what I want to do next. A part of me was fired up about helping to ensure that more black and brown faces were reflected in work of this magnitude. Another part of me thought about my own family and the stories we have to tell. The impact that we could make. The healing that would transpire.

I'm really moved. I feel charged, like I want to make something happen right now. Like I don't want to let this energy die. I simply pray for guidance and direction.

To the youth who presented, thank you for your courage to help us all heal.