July 1, 2009

Just 7 months ago we stood at the edge of despair not knowing what to do to save Wesley’s life from drugs. We knew that if we did nothing we would soon have the choice of visiting him in jail or the morgue, most likely the latter. When we started this journey we had no idea where it was going. The first time I saw Silverado’s website a voice said to me “this is it.” I kept looking at the web page and its description of Silverado and thinking that we must be crazy to consider sending Wes there as it looked like the last place on earth that could help Wes.  It seemed such because it was so foreign to Wes’s interests and seemed so far removed from real life out in the middle of nowhere. He was a very urban type of kid and I kept asking myself what could going to a “ranch” out in the middle of nowhere do to change him? I imagined him fighting it rather than trying to embrace it.  I envisioned him standing there at the gates to Silverado saying, “Where in the heck am I?  Why are you doing this to me?” It didn’t matter how hard I tried to convince myself that Silverado would never work for him (as I looked at other places), the voice in my head kept telling me to go back to that web page and reconsider. 

If there has ever been a sure answer to prayer in my life it has been Silverado. Wes’s problems had surpassed our knowledge, understanding, and ability to help him. In desperation we prayed and put our trust in God and gave him control. God in his wisdom sent Wes to you. It was a great leap of faith and trust to listen to the voice and send Wes to Silverado having never been there and knowing nothing about it.  Its funny how our idea of what we think will work is quite often not what God knows will work.  He knows his sons and he knows how to help them – even save them.  He has given you a talent to know how to make that happen in each boy’s life.

The first time we came to visit Wes at Christmas time I instantly felt in my heart that we had indeed had our prayers answered. Silverado just felt right. There was obviously a spirit of caring and a sense of determination to make a difference in each boy’s life that you could see and feel. I remember standing in line for lunch that first day and having to go outside because I felt such a rush of relief knowing for sure that God had answered our prayers and that Wes was indeed in a place that would change his life.  Wes came outside and saw me with tears in my eyes and unable to talk and asked me what was wrong.  I told him nothing and he said to me, “Come on dad – I know you better than that.  What’s wrong?”  I couldn’t explain to him what I was feeling, but it was very emotional.  It was hard seeing him in a ‘tough love’ situation and seeing him a bit lost and feeling scared (but not showing or admitting such) because I have been in that same situation when I was a young boy, only for different reasons. I imagine for most boys it feels lonely and scary at first to be so far away from those you love and not really understand what is happening to you.  I can imagine that anger plays a role in there are first.  As I thought about Wes and how he left I can’t imagine what it must have felt like to be woken up in the middle of the night and dragged off by two huge hulking guys; not having a choice, and not having a clue where you were going or why. Now that has to be a traumatic experience many of us will never feel. And yet, Wes told those guys he felt a sense of relief because he knew he needed help.

We worried at first because Wes didn’t seem to want to embrace the program and it was like he was just marking time until he could get out of there.  I think it took him a long time to face up to his problems and accept ownership of them and understand the only way to get through the ring of fire he had put himself in was to keep going, not turn back.  We were a bit discouraged when it seemed he was unwilling to do much to work the program and to advance its levels.  He also seemed to not care about school at all.  We did see some change in him, but I guess maybe we were expecting too much, too soon.  He had only been there 2 months.

He seemed to make some progress, but it didn’t seem like his therapist at the time was making a connection with him in a way that was making a difference – or at least it was not helping him to connect with us and work on the challenges he faced, not only in his own life, but those in the family as well.  I kept praying for him and asking for the Lord to help him find a way to start taking responsibility for his past and work to change his desire for a different and happy future.  It was at this point God answered our prayers again and you stepped into the picture.  From the very first conversation we had with you and Wes on the phone, we knew instantly that you had what it would take to change his life and to connect with him in ways no one else had done before.  You have to understand that Wes had been seeing therapists for the greater part of his life since he was 4 years old.  Some of them helped, but many seemed to make little difference.  I can’t tell you how many hours we spent dragging him to see doctor after doctor and sitting in their patient rooms with him, and them trying to break though to him but seeing little change in him.

With you - well it seemed like you had the magic to enter his mind and get his attention in a way he would actually pay attention and listen.  You seem to have a way to make him think about what he really thinks inside his head and heart and what he would really like to do in life. His attitude about Silverado changed with you in his life, and all of a sudden it seemed like he did want to work the program and he did understand the need to change his life.  His grades got better and we started to see some maturity in him that was not there before. We have seen the biggest changes since April.  We only regret he could not stay longer, because I think if you had more time with him, and he was able to continue to finish the program, he would be that much better off. 

While we are anxious about his return and what his future choices may be as it relates to staying clean, we know as parents we have done everything in our power to help him.  Most boys would never be lucky enough to have the opportunity to be able to go to somewhere like Silverado.  We were blessed we could send him and that you would accept him. Someday when he is older, he will better understand the sacrifice we had to make to keep him there.

It’s funny how much I have come to feel so emotionally attached to Silverado and the people there.  I think I will miss coming there to visit maybe more than most parents would.  If there is a little bit of heaven on earth, then it surely must be at Silverado. It will forever be etched in my mind as such.  I sometimes wonder if the staff sees themselves for what it is they really are accomplishing by taking part in saving the lives of these boys from a world of hurt and despair.  Not only the boys themselves, but that through their actions, they repair broken families. I can’t help but wonder how it feels to know that what you are doing on this earth with those boys has that kind of power and far reaching results in the next?

Eric there are no words we can use to express to you how we feel about you, what you have done for Wes, and the difference you have made in his life and ours. Janna and I want to thank you for all you’ve done to help Wes find a new path in life.  Thank you for your patience with him, your faith in him, and for actually caring about him as an individual. I know he thinks a lot of you even if he doesn’t say it.  I know him, and I can see it in his face and actions.  You are one of his heroes.

Miracles do happen and you have been an important part of that in Wes’s life and ours. You literally helped save his life. I can’t really remember much about the doctors and other therapists in Wes’s life, but I will never forget you – you are that amazing.  Silverado is so lucky to have you and we were so blessed to have Wes’s path collide with yours and the other special people at the ranch who have also made a big difference. 

Silverado will always have a special place in our hearts – mine for sure - and I know Wes’s as well.  God Bless you Eric – you are doing his work.

Sincerely,

Randy and Janna Sorensen

WGB
"The Staff at SBR is a very loving and supportive group of people, NOT only to my Son, but also to our whole family."

Randy B.
"The caring and sensitivity of the staff impressed us enormously. It was clear to us that staff had made the effort to engage our Son, and that they Knew him. This made us feel more comfortable knowing our son was living in a warm personal environment."

Julie K.
"The loving nurturing environment at SBR has been helping my son to mature and heal."

Dave S.
"Therapy at Silverado occurs in real-time, with any of the staff at any time. Even more, it occurs as part of a natural, healthy relationship. We're excited to see the progress our son has made in only a few short months in this environment."

Patrick S.
"The Staff at SBR has exceeded our expectations in both their professionalism and knowledge while working with our son."