10.15.08
Our Brother’s Keeper – Walking through the Storm
With banners lifted high, we marched, united in our cause. Police officers in cars, on horseback, and in the street stopped traffic and shielded us from the danger of inattentive drivers, as we headed up Congress Avenue in view of our State Capitol. I couldn’t help feeling somewhat in control of destiny. Yes, the future for those with mental illness, their friends and family would be positively impacted because on this day we moved forward. We were there for mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, friends, and ourselves. Some held banners in remembrance of a son lost to suicide. Our team banner bore streamers of handwritten messages. Selfishly I took two and wrote on the streamers as if the very act of writing demanded – “No more!” One was scripted in memory of my brother who took his life: one in honor of my daughter, and all who battle this raging illness that steals. This illness robs the personality, sanity, self-esteem, relationships, joy, and the very breath of many.
We were participating in a 5K Walk for NAMI: “dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses.” There would be no walk without the help of friends, family, co-workers and corporations who give generously to financially support the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Thank you for giving, for walking, for praying. My hope is that someday there will be no need to walk.
