When the Family Cares
I stopped by the Salvation Army thrift store quickly yesterday afternoon. I am looking for a used pair of ballet slippers for my daughter that she can wear for ballet camp this summer. I did not find the ballet slippers, but I got a super cool pair of black Chucks that should fit her soon. I have them out in the washer now. 
However, that was not what I wanted to write about. I was coming back to the car and the couple that was getting into the car next to me was having a very sad conversation. The man was telling his wife/girlfriend/buddy that his cousin was apparently addicted to crack. He was shocked and hurt, because nobody in his family saw it coming; the cousin has a family and a pretty good job. He and his relatives are feeling devastated.
The reason I overheard so much of the conversation is that I was walking behind them out of the store and into the parking lot, by the way.
So, this guy goes on to tell the girl that another of his cousins just got out of alcohol rehab and so now the parents, this guy’s aunt and uncle, are going through a time when they feel like they have failed in raising their kids. This, despite the fact that they apparently live in a wealthy neighborhood in Miami and had everything they needed as they were growing up. Both went to college and were seemingly productive parts of society.
That’s all I heard, but as I drove home I pondered the emotions this family must be feeling. And, I was glad they were feeling them at all. I know all too many families that are so splintered that the family members might not even find out or care if one of them was struggling with addiction. If this family is close, caring, and willing to be involved there is a lot of success in the future for these cousins.
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