It has been a long journey for me from Shadow to Light. I lived in the Shadows for much of my life. I was convinced, for much of that time, that the Shadows were not really all that bad. I believed that the Shadows could even be comfortable, safe. No one expects anything from those who live there. There are no pressures. There is no keeping up with the neighbors. There is no anything. Sometimes, I still think that I’d like to return there. To just call it a day and return. The Shadows are very seductive. Cool. Dark. You don’t have to get out of bed if you don’t want to. You don’t have to get dressed. You don’t have to smile. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. You don’t have to be visible. You don’t have to exist at all in the world of Light. Living in the Shadows is living in a whole different world from those who live in the world of Light.
Many of those who live in the Shadows do venture into the Light at some point, and decide to spend time there also, if not full time, at least part time. They learn to live in both worlds. Many former Shadow People go out into the world of Light, get good educations, hold down meaningful jobs, marry, have a loving family and great friends. But the Shadow Life never totally disappears for former Shadow People. It haunts the mind and the heart. It beckons its former residents to come back. And for those who have lived in the Shadows for long periods of time, it is often a daily battle, to stay in the Light, to keep even one foot in the Light.
The Lullabye Foundation was formed during the darkest days of my life—when my daughter, her husband, and their children severed all of their relationships with their extended family members as well as all of their former friends. To date, I have not seen or heard from them in 13 years. I spent years trying to get them back. All of my efforts failed. I fear, that they will all, permanently, live in the Shadows.
My exit from the Shadows came one day when I heard God speak to me. On that day, God challenged me to dedicate the rest of my life to children and families where there was still a chance for them to live their lives in the Light. And so I ventured fully into the Light, made a decision to stay there, and began to form the Lullabye Foundation. I spend most of my time in the Light now, helping others through the Lullabye Foundation. Once in a while when I get over tired or over-whelmed, the Shadows call out to me to come back. And when they call, I have to fight to stay where I am. And sometimes I exist with a foot in each world. But I won’t go back to live permanently in the Shadows. Living in the Shadows for long periods of time brings only death, to the body, to the mind, and to the soul. No one should have to live in the Shadows permanently! And I am convinced, that with God’s help, and with help from friends and family, all people can live their lives in the Light! The Lullabye Foundation was formed to help people do just that! And Lullabye People know that it is possible!
Rev. Sally Marie Meyer, Founder and Director of The Lullabye Foundation
FROM THE DIRECTOR: LULLABYE’S BEGINNING, FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
