Dear Karis Friends and Family,
Preparing to write this, my wife asked me, ‘what do I most want to leave you with?’ Difficult question, but here is my answer…
First, I want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity to serve as Executive Director of Karis Community for these 22 ½ years. All words fail to adequately express my gratitude. It has been my great honor and privilege. Karis Community has filled my journey with meaning I treasure. You are and always will be in my heart.
Relationships can hurt, or they can heal. I want you to know you are not the inadequate versions of yourself you may have been told you are. Instead, you have inherent worth and dignity as a human being, with unrepeatably unique and valuable gifts to offer, just as you are.
When one is reminded, “you are not your mental illness,” it is easier to let go of the stigma, accept mental health challenges, and learn healthy ways to manage them. It becomes easier to embrace that “I am enough.” It is compassionate community living that mirrors a truer sense of who community members really are.
Change is not unilateral, nor does it happen in a vacuum. At Karis, it is not “about me” but “about we.” Stepping outside yourself to help the person next to you not only helps that person but reminds you that you have a valuable contribution to make, and you both are better for it.
Perfection is impossible and unnecessary. I want all of Karis’ friends and family, past, present, and future, to remember that you do not need to be perfect to be wonderful! Taking risks and making mistakes can be the best teachers.
My final wish is for you is to soak into your bones – you matter, you are “enough,” you are worthy of love and belonging, just as you are!
My wish is that you find God’s grace in every mistake and give more than you take.
I end with the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, My wish, by Rascal Flats.
Grace and Peace,
E.J. Barklage, M.A., L.P.C.
Executive Director
“My wish,” by Rascal Flats
“I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with a choice, and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ till you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back, but ya never forget
All the ones who love you, in the place you left
I hope you always forgive, and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah, more than anything
My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there getting where you’re getting to
I hope you know somebody loves you and wants the same things too
Yea, this is my wish
