David R.

I’ve lived life at extremes. To one side, I had a life most would envy—beautiful wife, two amazing kids, as well as both of my parents, brother, grandparents, and extended family—I never met a stranger, easily climbed professional ladders, was financially secure, and from the outside was the image of what many would think of as a successful life. Then, I attended 23 funerals in 36 months—parents, grandparents, brother, aunts, uncles, cousins, and several very close friends—and from that overwhelming wave of loss and repressed sexual trauma from my childhood, I slipped into addiction, lost my marriage, my children, the love of any remaining friends or family, my career, my decency and eventually my freedom. I just celebrated ten years of sobriety in May, and to see me today, you might never guess at the depths I’ve plumbed emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually, but I am keenly aware of the number of people in this world who are in pain. Whether they have know loss like mine or not, their souls ache because as humans, we simply aren’t meant to live at the pace we do, with the shallow connections which modern life cultivates versus the deep and rich connections people once forged out of equal parts necessity and wisdom. I saw this program and felt a calling, to share this depth of love I have been blessed with for my fellow humans, to share my healing journey from my personal hell, which others saw as a perfect life, to this beat up, broken, busted and bruised life I lead now, where I couldn’t be more filled with joy and peace. I feel that we are all called to help and love each other in this life, and whether it’s a struggle with loss or addiction, overcoming the dark pit of trauma, living through loneliness so severe very few can even begin to understand what it means to literally have no one, struggles being a non-custodial parent, or cashing in your worldly pursuits to seek a higher spiritual understanding, I humbly pray that some small part of the experiences and insight I’ve gained along my journey can help bring peace and cultivate a shared love in any new friendship, where I never judge, always seek to understand, encourage healing and choosing self-love, and above all, have a passion for getting to know new people—casually or deeply. Everyone has a story, and I hope to hear yours!