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January-March, 2023

The Three Bullet Points

by Rev. Larry Glenz, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

About twelve years ago or so, I took a trip from Long Island down to Ormond Beach, FL to see Robert and Mary at the new Florida home of Pathways of Light. I was leasing a new 2014 Mustang convertible and I was looking forward to taking it on a long trip. I had something on my mind, and I wanted to talk to Robert and Mary and see the new headquarters in Florida.

I was retired from teaching social studies at Lynbrook High School and my son, Kevin had passed a few years earlier at the age of 27. I was being guided to speak to high school kids about Kevin’s struggle as an opioid addict. I wanted to refine my words to meet with what I had learned from my years as a student of A Course in Miracles.

I wanted a final uplifting message after telling the chilling story of the All-American boy who fell into the depths of addiction and died after 7 years of rehabs, recovery, and relapses. I needed to believe that I was inspiring the audience instead of scaring them with the horror of drug addiction.

I stayed in the guest house on the Pathways of Light property for two nights. Through my meditations and my conversations with Robert and Mary, I was able to come up with three bullet points for the conclusion of my PowerPoint presentations:

• In this world, only the Love matters

• Forgiveness is the key to happiness

• Great strength comes from a connection to your Higher Power

On my drive back to NY, I had the top down and the music blasting all the way. I knew I had my message. I was made ready to speak to thousands of young people and their parents over the next decade.

Fast-forward to this week. These past two mornings I had the opportunity to speak to the students of Connetquot HS out on Long Island. I did a separate one hour-long presentation for each class – freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. I spoke to over 1800 students in all.

For the first bullet point, I speak of how I feel Kevin’s presence with his arm around me as I speak to them. I explain how I never lost the love that Kevin and I have always had. Having that love with me has allowed me to heal from the tragedy and reach out to others about the dangers of opioid abuse.

The second bullet is from Lesson 121 of the Workbook of ACIM. I spoke of how I had to forgive myself for not being able to save my son’s life. I had to forgive Kevin for his disease of addiction. I had to forgive everyone involved or I would continue to suffer. I believe that when I healed, Kevin’s mom, brother and extended family were also able to heal. I explain that this type of tragedy happens in good families and guilt is not justified.

In reference to the third bullet, I speak briefly of my connection to my Higher Power as the reason I have been able to heal myself. I explain that this connection is not something that I could give to Kevin or anyone else. But my example — my demonstration of healing — seems to help those who loved Kevin the most.

At the very end of all my presentations I lighten the mood. I show pictures of Kevin’s daughter Olivia from over the years and that she has grown to be a beautiful 13-year-old girl. My family’s focus is united on our love for her. Olivia was only four months old when Kevin passed. She is a big part of our healing.

As I was leaving the gymnasium, I was presented with some thank you notes from the freshmen class that I spoke to the day before. They touched my heart. Some said that the most meaningful part to them was “only the love matters in this world.” Others said that they are thinking about the power of forgiveness and to whom they need to apply it. There were so many touching comments and it filled me with such gratitude.

My ministry seems to be taking some new forms lately. I continue to try to let Spirit take the lead and direct me to where I need to go and what to say, and to whom. And I am so grateful to be in His service.

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