Life is about making mistakes, learning from them, and making wiser choices. No one is perfect, but we can grow better each day when we’re ready to learn.
Every day, we have the chance to make a positive impact, not just in our own lives but in others’ as well. The outcome of our lives is largely determined by how we respond to each event. We’re often led to believe that our past, circumstances, and experiences define us and limit our possibilities. But this time has allowed me to reflect, to look at my life, examine my priorities, and focus on where I’ve been and where I want to go. Life is about making mistakes, learning from them, and making wiser choices. No one is perfect, but we can grow better each day when we’re ready to learn. It’s not what we do occasionally that shapes us, but what we do consistently. There’s so much to be learned from adversity and the growth that comes from perseverance. I am beyond blessed to have the opportunity to reflect on my journey. I was charged with felony DUI resulting in death and sentenced to 15 years. I lost my best friend in the accident, and while it’s been one of the hardest times of my life, it has also been a revelation of my true purpose and what I’ve been doing wrong. Today, I have a 10-year-old son, Klay. Not being the mother I longed to be is the hardest part of this journey. But despite everything, I continue to do what I can to be there for him. I write to process my emotions, which can be overwhelming. I’ve noticed that many seasons of my life that seemed stressful turned out to be the most joyful and productive when I discipline myself to view them as opportunities, not obligations. When we truly learn from our failures, we can turn them into opportunities to grow and transform. I am grateful to be part of a mission that creates opportunities for personal growth and provides new perspectives on life beyond these walls. The picture I’ve sent is a card my son made with an airplane on it. He thought I left him on a plane, and that’s why the airplane has a teardrop. One day, he will understand that I didn’t leave him the way my own mother left me—not by choice, but by fate. Much Love, Opie
Beautifully Broken
I fell into a black hole,
Crawling to get out,
Wounded inside,
Condemned without a doubt.
Wearing my anger,
With a smile on my face,
Pretending I’m fine,
With a tear running down with grace.
Never being enough,
Fueled my addiction,
All the love and lust,
Created the wrong intentions.
Evil weighing its domain,
Sufficient enough,
To be beautifully insane,
Not caring about my pain.
This was just your kind of game,
Even though you bring joy to my life,
In the darkest parts of the pits,
Trying to overcome the life I used to live.
You kissed my wounds,
You filled that hole,
I even let you feed my soul.
You tell me you love me,
Even when life ain’t fair,
You promised you’d always be there.
You told me it’s okay,
To cry when I’m weak,
Because you’d be there,
To pick me up off my knees.
I never wanted to trust you,
I never wanted to let you in,
Now I’m here, begging you,
Don’t let this ever end.
