By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Bestselling author, David Magee imparted valuable life lessons to those in attendance at Catholic Charities Journey of Hope event on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the Jackson Convention Complex.
Emceed by news anchor, Maggie Wade of WLBT, event attendees were also in for a treat with a special performance of “One Mississippi” by Steve Azar, backed by the St. Richard sixth grade choir.
Beginning his talk to the over 500 in attendance at the event, Magee spoke about an encounter with a young lady working at the hotel he was staying in while in town for the Journey of Hope event.
After sharing with her that he was in town to speak at a Catholic Charities event, the young lady excitedly shared her life changing experience with the organization back when she was just 16 years old. Magee shared with the crowd that she only had to rely on Catholic Charities resources briefly, and today she and her family had everything they could want, including joy. Magee said that the young lady told him ”’but I’m not sure how it would have worked out without Catholic Charities.’”
“It changed her life,” stated Magee.
Speaking on his critically acclaimed book, Dear William: A Father’s Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, Love and Loss, Magee chronicled his families struggle with addition and loss. Magee and his wife, Kent, lost their son William to an accidental drug overdose in 2013 and they nearly lost their other son, Hudson, to an overdose as well.
He also spoke about the effects of substance misuse among individuals and family, how illegal substances have increased in strength with the danger of added ingredients, and of relaxed attitudes toward prescription medications. Through out his talk, he gave guidance for staying safe and helping other seek the help they need.
Through the loss, recovery and healing his family encountered, Magee truly believes in the resiliency of souls. “I think faith, God’s grace, God’s strength – helps us in that resilience,” said Magee. “The power to get up in all the adversity – when we don’t have the strength to take one more step.”
Pointing to the hard times the city of Jackson has had recently with flooding and lack of water, Magee noted that from dark times there is “always a path forward.”
“There is hope. There is a path forward,” said Magee. “… This disease effects everybody. It knows no lines of economics, race, gender … every single American family is touched in one way.”
Magee reminded those in attendance that the resources people have affect their ability to receive treatment for addiction. “That’s why … the work of Catholic Charities and the special focus of this event … changes generations of families, just like that lady I met at the hotel – just in different ways.”
Thanking those present at the Journey of Hope luncheon, Magee concluded his talk, saying “this isn’t about me and it’s not about my family. It’s about you and your family and this community and the state of Mississippi.”
“As we come together as ‘One Mississippi’ – as my friend Steve Azar likes to say – we find power together and Catholic Charities is at the lead of that fight.”
