Well for this project, that's exactly what I did.
I've never gone out to intentionally converse with a stranger... do we ever?
But sometimes that's just how it goes.
Every single one of us were once strangers at one point or another; look at us now.
There's best friends, relationships as well as a mutual love and respect that was formed, all unintentionally.
But as hard as it may have been, especially for me, I went out with the sole intention of listening and connecting with one I've never met.
I mean who doesn't love a good story; a real living, breathing story.
Personally, I pine for them in being that sometimes it's just nice to escape your own world and enter into another's just for a bit; to get lost. As uncomfortable as it may be, it directly leads to the growth of character as well as the shifting of lenses in which we view the world.
There's growth to be made every time a new story is revealed, even if that means sharing our own personal stories with another (because we all know, that almost everyone's favorite person to talk about is indeed them self), we never know how important a few unfiltered words could mean to a person.
Connections were created and cherished throughout this journey. The immense amount of stories given and received all had this overarching appreciation for life despite the heartaches, which makes it all the more beautiful. When each individuals battles were conquered, they were able to cherish the experience in coming out stronger than before. Because, the defining moments of being torn down for the sole purpose of being built back up wasn't frowned upon, it was embraced.
Peter, 49
Seemingly having it all growing up, the life he possessed was solely based off of appearance.
The truth can be hard to swallow, especially in this case because looking in all that's seen is a big beautiful house in La Jolla, a privileged family featuring the mother whom models and a career started at the mere age of six.
Looks can truly be deceiving. The reality of his life was that it was turmoil from the beginning.
There were the parents whom while never there, off abusing their alcoholism, consistently pressured the growing tennis career their son faced. From the age of 6 to collegian level it was always them; living out their days. This pressure became overwhelming, especially at the peak when he was faced with a career ending injury. And while it was never his choice to begin with, he was faced with the powerful sense of guilt and remorse of letting the parents expectations down.
This was only the beginning.
At the age of 33, the first taste of alcohol was taken brought on by his fathers death. Which would mark the beginning to a 13 year drinking career. Losing virtually everything in two week period, all the privilege he had known growing up dispersed into the shadows. And now would it be, the true value of a dollar was known.
In the more recent spectrum, 2013, he was faced with a DUI which would (almost) bring back the life he had lost. The help needed for two years was received, endless rehab.
Up until his mother passed away in 2015, which although the was never close with either parents, was harder than losing his father.
The lack of direction was part to blame throughout his life, but now two years later his story is that of a success in his terms.
Because now, his life has been built back up and is in school to become a drug and alcohol counselor, to help others whom faced hardships like his.
With his newfound faith to serve as a guide, he has found something in the nothing he used to be considered.
