Good friends are a treasure to honor. . .
Very good friends of ours were here for the night. My husband has known both of them for more than 40 years. And I have known them for nearly 35 years. They are a delight in every way. We share the same journey in 12 step rooms, and walk the same path with A Course in Miracles too. Having friends who share your values, and have known you for so many years lends a special quality to the friendship. There are no secrets. Acceptance of who we really are is a given.
Having history with people is one of the blessings of being in recovery. Most of the women and men in my life have been with me through thick and thin. One of my dearest friends was accepting a 3 year medallion when I first got sober and I was amazed. She was a mere 21 years old at the time. How our friendship began I no longer remember but begin it did and continue it has. We talk on the phone daily. God bless you, Joanie.
And then there’s Hank whom I talk to 4 days a week. He and I go back to my very first month in the fellowship. We sat across the table from each other in a restaurant following my home group meeting one Monday night. He was so engaging, we became friends and have remained so. Additionally, I know, without a doubt, that we will be connected as friends until the end.
My friend, Joy, whom I talked to you about in an earlier post has been a friend for more than 27 years. Her illness distresses me because of the helplessness I feel. However, my prayers are unending. May she know peace. Kaye, too, has been in my circle since day one. We met in a meeting, had dinner, discovered how much we had in common and a friendship that has lasted throughout my recovery, and hers, was forged.
I could go on mentioning a multitude of people. There are hundreds of them and then there are all of the people I have met at workshops and conferences too that I feel a very special connection to. Seldom has any one left my life after entering it. That’s the real gift of the fellowship. We discover the joy of sharing the same beliefs and we know that if ever we need a confidant, we are there.
This journey has given me more than I could ever have imagined, and all I had to do was choose a life free of alcohol and drugs. Imagine that!
I hope the life you are living right now is blessing you. You can change ever what is in the way to make it so, you know.
mark
Thank you for talking about friends. I miss them (my parents) and miss you guys also, especially today, with the passing of joy. I thank you for taking me in. To be even a small part of the miracles is such a blessing and I am so lucky to have the family I have. We in recovery have so much offered to us and the life it has given me is beyond words. To think I was such a lost junky who had no inner anything can now be so blessed. It is a miracle and Joy is in my heart. Thank you, Love Mark.
karencasey
markI love hearing from you again, Mark. You are a blessing to all of us.
xoxo Karen
michelle
Happy Valentine’s Day, Karen! I am so beyond words blessed and enormously grateful for this way of life! I am enjoying healing with the relationship with my mother, which is simply amazing, to say the least. This way of life, working the steps, learning self love, self respect, setting boundaries, taking risks, and meeting her as an adult, not the abandoned, scared, wounded little kid is awe-inspiring. I continue to listen to my inner child, allowing her out to heal and play. Getting out of my HP’s way has given me so many miracles…
I believe the best is learning how to rest, to simply be me, and know i am just fine today, a beautiful soul, and a work in progress all at the same time. THIS is amazing. Thanks for you, your posts, and the audio of your speaking! michelle b
karencasey
michelleI’m delighted to hear from you and blessings on your journey with your mother and all other relationships.
Karen
Gretel
Big fan of the blog, a ton of your blogposts have truly helped me out. Looking towards posts!
karencasey
GretelI’m so glad you have felt helped. Karen