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October-December, 2015

Saying Yes to Spirit

by Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C.

When turning to my Higher Power, I received a clear message — “Attraction rather than promotion.”

Almost four years ago I self-published my book Forgiving Kevin, a memoir of my son’s seven-year struggle with heroin. I started writing the book when Kevin was in his last and longest period of recovery. It was intended to be a true story about the All-American boy who fell into the depths of opiate addiction and recovered to help others overcome the disease of addiction. Kevin was in his ninth month of recovery when I started writing.

Then Kevin relapsed and succumbed to a fatal overdose. So many who knew our family could not imagine how such a fate could befall a young man with such promise and potential.

I believed it was important that I finish writing the book. Although Kevin could no longer help others in their fight with addiction, perhaps his story could bring awareness of the problem that is now epidemic among young people, especially here on Long Island.

I felt like I was being guided to help other families who suffered from this disease. I also wanted to heal myself from my failed efforts to save my son. I needed my son’s life to count for something important.

Although my book was far from a best seller, I was inspired by the response from those who read it. I did little to promote the book but I did begin telling the story in local high schools, colleges, and community centers. I felt that Kevin and I were teamed up to bring about an awareness of heroin abuse to local schools and communities.

The response from the students, parents, and faculties of the schools in which I made presentations was very encouraging. Many told me that I was helping to save lives. I received many emails and messages of appreciation and gratitude for having the courage to expose my family’s struggle with Kevin’s addiction. Because of the stigma attached to heroin, many deaths are misreported as heart attacks or other less ignominious fatalities.

Although my book was not being promoted, it fell into the hands of a motion picture producer who had simultaneously lost his close friend to the same drug. We did not know each other but there was a connection through a friend of a friend. The producer, Chris Scott, asked if he could come out to Long Beach from Manhattan to meet with me.

Although I was skeptical about my personal story being told by a stranger, I accepted his invitation to visit me at my home. Chris explained to me how the book had helped him with his guilt from not being able to save his friend Louis. He wanted to turn the book into a full-length motion picture.

I told Chris Scott that I didn’t want my story to be told by someone else. After confirming that I wanted my book to help the families of those suffering from addiction, he asked me, “Is there any limit to the amount of people that you wish to help?”

“Of course not,” I replied.

“Well then,” he said, “do you think that a well made motion picture that captures the honesty and authenticity of your book could help many more people?”

I answered, “I guess so, but how do I know the film will capture this honesty and authenticity of which you speak.”

He replied, “There really would be no other reason to make this motion picture.”

I went to Spirit with this proposal. I was reminded that my guiding rule was “attraction rather than promotion.” Somehow, some way, without my efforts, a stranger was offering to buy the rights to my book. He offered to make me a co-writer of the screenplay, a consultant on the set, and a co-producer of the motion picture. He said, “I would not be able to do it without you.”

With Holy Spirit’s affirmation, I said, “yes” to the proposal. The first version of the screenplay is being completed. The casting director is hired. Investors are lining up to support the film. A crowd sourcing campaign to raise further funds has begun. All I have had to do is say, “yes.”

Saying, “yes” to Holy Spirit is exciting. The slogan for the fundraising campaign is “Love Heals Addiction.” Our motivation is to save lives from what has become a terrifying epidemic. Kevin’s spirit is guiding this. I call him Holy Spirit’s assistant coach. I feel like the two of us are teamed up as a force for good. It is a wonderful feeling.

It appears I have attracted an amazing project to help others. All I had to do is say, “yes” with Holy Spirit’s encouragement. And now I can’t wait to see the good that comes from all this.

© 2015, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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