Wednesday, February 20: The first time we visited Kentfield, Debbie, the case manager, gave us a number for Heather at the San Francisco Theological Seminary. Founded in 1871, this 14-acre hilltop retreat was built to train Presbyterian pastors; a real seminary located just down the street from where Anthony was starting his recovery process. This was exactly the kind of setting that Kim and I knew would be good for us, similar to our apartment in Palo Alto H.O.M.E. Kim and I learned early on that we had to take care of ourselves. No matter how sad we might feel, or how difficult our situation might be, we had to take care of ourselves so that we could take care of our Anthony. When we arrived at the seminary, Heather met us at the apartment. Kim and I knew immediately that we wanted to stay at the seminary. We really hit it off with Heather. We asked Heather if there was any way she could take less for the apartment. She said she had been thinking of doing just that. Kim and I felt very emotional about her offer and thanked her with tears in our eyes. This was going to be a great place. Each evening we could quietly re-charge our energy and rebuild our strength, so that the next day we could make good decisions about Anthony’s care.

The San Francisco Theological Seminary, another blessing to count in this tragic journey: a refuge that offers quiet surroundings accompanied by continuous prayer, a good place for healing.