Something really tragic happened in my town last weekend. I just heard about it today. One life was lost, and the other changed forever. And as these things go, who knows how many more people are hurt by this.
One man is homeless and a very sad situation. He is seriously mentally ill. He is also an alcoholic. I know him from the tables of AA and also through volunteer work at the mission where he goes for hot meals. He gets a check once a month, and he goes and spends it all in a bar. Then he walks the streets as he always does - drunk or sober. He was walking the streets drunk this weekend.
Another guy who is married with children was out on a bender. My friend who knows him says he sometimes thinks he needs to stop drinking, then other times is not so sure. Sound familiar? He was out drinking this weekend, and driving the streets.
These two met on the streets. The homeless man is dead and the man uncertain about whether he's a problem drinker is in jail - and probably for a very very long time.
I have been involved in the local recovery community long enough to have heard many sad stories of alcohol related death in one form or another. The very odd thing for my friend who told me, is that he knew both of these people well. I thought how difficult it would be to make any excuses or to place blame when it's just so tragically sad for both of them. And their loved ones.
I am grateful to hear about these things and know about these things. It takes all the luster and glamour away from AL, and I can see only the ugly underbelly of drinking alcoholically and the attendant risks.
On the other hand, I also heard two stories of hope today.
One man who grew up in an orphanage, and then was lost and alcoholic as a young adult, has been in revcovery a long time. He has doggedly built up a portfolio of real estate rental property so that his own kids will "always have something." What a good man!
I am also happy to be in recovery myself and moving forward in my own life with my husband. Things are coming together for us in such a way that we have been able to offer a work opportunity to another recovering alcoholic who needs work, and who is ready for this responsibility and opportunity in his own journey. I think it will be a win/win.
AL = ugliness and death.
Soberity = hope and life and opportunity.
That's the choice for people like us.
DG
One man is homeless and a very sad situation. He is seriously mentally ill. He is also an alcoholic. I know him from the tables of AA and also through volunteer work at the mission where he goes for hot meals. He gets a check once a month, and he goes and spends it all in a bar. Then he walks the streets as he always does - drunk or sober. He was walking the streets drunk this weekend.
Another guy who is married with children was out on a bender. My friend who knows him says he sometimes thinks he needs to stop drinking, then other times is not so sure. Sound familiar? He was out drinking this weekend, and driving the streets.
These two met on the streets. The homeless man is dead and the man uncertain about whether he's a problem drinker is in jail - and probably for a very very long time.
I have been involved in the local recovery community long enough to have heard many sad stories of alcohol related death in one form or another. The very odd thing for my friend who told me, is that he knew both of these people well. I thought how difficult it would be to make any excuses or to place blame when it's just so tragically sad for both of them. And their loved ones.
I am grateful to hear about these things and know about these things. It takes all the luster and glamour away from AL, and I can see only the ugly underbelly of drinking alcoholically and the attendant risks.
On the other hand, I also heard two stories of hope today.
One man who grew up in an orphanage, and then was lost and alcoholic as a young adult, has been in revcovery a long time. He has doggedly built up a portfolio of real estate rental property so that his own kids will "always have something." What a good man!
I am also happy to be in recovery myself and moving forward in my own life with my husband. Things are coming together for us in such a way that we have been able to offer a work opportunity to another recovering alcoholic who needs work, and who is ready for this responsibility and opportunity in his own journey. I think it will be a win/win.
AL = ugliness and death.
Soberity = hope and life and opportunity.
That's the choice for people like us.
DG
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