So, as if homeless was’nt an option. My buddy john the baptist faces this realization every night he goes to his homely spot behind the beer store. His hopes and intentions of being too drunk to care kept him personally content as he jumps up to his loft in a small room with a box- spring. His spot was a blessing compared to the other alkies, whom found contentment on the lawn of a nearby boat landing.
I spent alot of time with the elderly baptist man. We would drink anything from schlitz malt liquor bull to wild irish rose. We hardly drank real liquor due to relying on hustled up money from generous strangers. We could get a 6 pack of black-label or Mickey’s big mouth for only $2.25 after procuring the change. This was a trend of ours for a while, but as i drowned in poor self esteem by indulging with him day after day. Although John had a barely livable hut, so to speak, I always had the opportunity to rest peacefully in my mothers house. Nevertheless, I choose to bunk up with my aged drinking buddy once in a while and enjoy his company. He didn’t have electricity much less a television or heater. Yet he did have an old blanket and his good ole box-spring. Some nights we had to bare the cold weather and found out the true meaning of “God bless the child who has his own”. We didn’t have much options for breakfast but at noon we could attend the christian church food line in which we would get a couple sandwiches and some soup.
I miss ole John as i had a mishap on a motor scooter and broke my leg and had to relocate to my sisters house in a different state.
Although i’ll always be an alcoholic, i’ve been recovering now for 7 years. Not a drop since July 18th 2012. I’ve even acquired an Associate of Arts degree in Culinary Arts. And i’m a new person as i’m currently employed.
Being abstinent from alcohol is a tough thing to do, especially for any period of time, but it does get easier on a “1Day@Atime” concept. My advice would include “To thyself be true” or even “just not right now” but i’ll always put the truth where it belongs, “To God be the glory” and ALWAYS remember no matter what you’re going through “This too shall pass” I am humbled from said experiences and acknowledge it as a strength, rather than a weakness. To be through with alcohol altogether, i found a little heaven within and ask God to grant me the strength to accept his will, whatever it may be..Amen..
#ChefRob..
Adventurous Extremes 