september 2009
the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center
For everything there is a season…
I
t’s 95 degrees out. A typical late August day in Georgia—hot and sticky. But today when I was returning from my early morning Yoga class, I felt a slight breeze carrying the barest hint of change coming. Summer is tiring but there is the promise of a new season on the horizon. This August brings a special anticipation of change. For the past ten years, I’ve spent the better part of my days living and breathing Nuçi’s Space. It has been a glorious adventure. Looking back, I’m impressed with how such sorrow can give forth to such healing and finally to hope. And what a growth experience! I’ve had the good fortune to work with so many young men and women as they transition from adolescence to adulthood. I now grasp more fully what Gibran meant when he wrote about parents, “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.” One life ending too soon gives birth to an idea and then to a living reality, a new season. Instead of being weighted down with the heaviness of August, I find that that little breeze of change is carrying me into the next season. I’m wondering what it holds and I’m excited by the possibilities. But before I’m carried away, I need to thank all the people who believed in and really “got” the idea for Nuçi’s Space and there are many. In 1999, I wrote my first “annual giving letter.” The response from my family and friends was such that we were able to start paying for therapy before our doors were even open. Many of this original group of donors have continued to give and to support Nuçi’s Space. They are the same people who have always been there for Pierre, KP, Nuçi and me. Thank you! And just as an aside, I’d like to thank the few people who never understood or “got” what we at Nuçi’s Space are trying to do. You’ve made us strive to articulate more clearly our mission. You’ve also underscored the need for creative thinking and solutions to dealing with Depression and suicide. I thought of you recently when I read in a book, “We have to believe that even the briefest human connections can heal. Otherwise, life is unbearable.” We’ll continue to do what we do and hopefully, you’ll “get” it.
by
Linda V. Phillips
Many thanks are owed but I won’t mention names because you know who you are. When I first got the idea for Nuçi’s Space, I was somewhat fearful. A dear friend asked, “If you don’t do it, who will?” Thank you! I vowed to myself never to be afraid again (or at least to try). I could never have developed my idea without the very special people who work at Nuçi’s Space. They started out as my children and have become my peers and my friends. They are Nuçi’s Space! The psychiatrists and therapists (and their office people) have been everything I could have hoped for and more. They go above and beyond and give me hope for the state of mental health care. And to my musicians! You are the pulse that makes us beat. And to those we help. Thank you for the privilege. You are our reason for being. Space prohibits my listing the myriad of people who leave an indelible impression on Nuçi’s Space. I hope you’ll forgive me and know that you have my profound thanks. But I can’t journey into that next season without thanking the most important people in my life: To Pierre for being the best husband and for giving me two beautiful sons. He is always there for me. He is my touchstone. To KP for being the best “first” son ever. He is always there for me, even in the middle of the night when everybody else is asleep. And of course, To Nuçi for being the best “last” son ever. His short life inspired the nurturing, understanding, compassion and insight that define Nuçi’s Space. Without the three of you, my life would be in black and white. Thank you one and all!
nuçi’s space 396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 space@nuci.org www.nuci.org
Newsletter Contributors
Will Kiser Laura Ford Linda V. Phillips Michael McGough Design & Layout
Larry Tenner