Blessed

When I got to the recovery program ETA I had know idea of how many blessings would come my way simply by being sober. I thought it was the end of the world when I had to give up boozing and using and, in a way, it was. It was the end of the world as I knew it, but it was the beginning of a much different world, too.

Last evening my phone rang. A friend of mine, Barbie, needed to go to Memphis, TN to be with her brother during a health crisis. She was going to be driving all night. Barbie knew he'd had a stroke and had some heart stuff going on, but didn't know what shape he was in. All she knew was that he was in ICU and was asking for her. She wanted to know if I would come along with her.

Me! Can you believe it? I was being asked to help someone shoulder her burdens. Barbie wanted me to be there for her, believed I could help, would find comfort in our friendship during this uncertain time of worry. And, because I am sober, I can be there for her at a moments notice. ETA has taught me how to help others because we need each other to stay clean and sober.

This past year has brought some tough times for me. My family has faced death, sickness, personal crisis. For all of these, my friends have been there to support me. Now, I have the honor of returning the favor. I am grateful to ETA, my family and my friends for helping me be someone who can be counted on. The old HP has blessed me with this chance.

Well, this is short but I have to wrap it up. A friend in need called and, by the grace of God, there go I.

Have a good and sober day.