There I was, quietly reading the newspaper in the newest doctor added to my list of alphabetical professionals that have entered my life since turning 55. This one a podiatrist...anyway, the phone rings and the caller simply says Thank You. I ask who was calling. The voice identifies themselves as Christian and goes on to share the purpose the call.
It is to express gratitude for meeting me and having our paths cross at "just the right time". He claimed I took him to his first meeting, 20 YEARS AGO and he has remained active in recovery since.
Go figure. Just how does this work? One meeting, one time and they are off to the races towards wellness. Others, multiple meetings, multiple treatments, multiple incarcerations, etc etc etc and they never "get it".
Some say miracles, others say timing, still others say destiny, karma or phenomena.
Whatever it is, just give me MORE!!!!
Dr J
That's awesome. I still remember my first "driver" to my meeting over 20 years ago.
today is the next step in the journey......paw
I'm grateful that I could track you down as easily as I did - that's one of the blessings of your continued involvement Jonas. :)
As to all the wonders of who, how... why... it's something that forever boggles me. I know that I've been very fortunate to get it. Though I'm also not alone. I'm now one of 8 members of my family (including cousins/aunt/uncles) who are or have been touched by recovery. Why some accept the tenets and embrace it and others fight it right to the bitter end is part of the insanity I guess.
I am one of those who truly stands on the bones of those who fell before us. Tragically, the last guy I ever got high with - which was the last day I used, it was at his brothers wedding... took his life when I was about a week shy of 6 months clean and sober. He used the very shotgun that I'd planned to use myself. And Charles' death was was something that made me, a 21 year old kid at the time, realize that all my denial, all my thoughts of "I wasn't that bad" just melt away.
It is sad that Charles never got to taste recovery, but by God's grace I continue to use his death as something to remind me of just how life and death this disease is.
Be well,
Christian OB, Hollywood, FL
Thanks for sharing an incredible story. So unbelievably sad that anyone would be that far out to take their own life. For one to not see any possible solution other than that. The unfortunate reality is the rooms are full of similar tales, each more painful than the last one.
We stand together in recovery for those before and those ahead of us. Our experience, strength and hope free for the giving as was given to us. I am so happy to have the connect again and share in your journey of growth. I look forward for further dialoguer here and anyone else we can attract.