Thanks, Steve. 

Yes, as Steve mentioned, I’m pleased to report that yesterday I celebrated 19 years clean, 19 years free from drugs and alcohol.

I’ve been reflecting on whatever it was that made me stop when I did, and don’t have an answer.  My drug use, including drinking (alcohol is a drug.) led me to unimaginable depths, and left me destitute in every sense of the word.  The events leading up to the end, when it became increasing clear that I had a problem, were mirrored by the increasing knowledge that there might be a solution.  And there definitely has been a solution.  The path I started on 19 years ago has brought more blessings into my life than I can count.

I am grateful on so many levels to more people than I can begin to name.  One who I would like to mention is a fellow named Chic M, who passed away sober some 16 years ago.  A week or so before I celebrated 2 years clean, I was in the hospital having major abdominal surgery.  Chic was in the next room, recovering from surgery related to throat cancer.  I knew Chic from meetings; he had a lot of time, 19 years as it turned out.  His friends had a sterling silver 19-year medallion made for him.  That Saturday night I was in the hospital, Chic and I had our own private meeting.  I was struggling with the pain medication, and needed to talk, so I got out of my hospital bed and rolling my IV drip along with me, I walked into Chic’s room and asked for support.  So Chic and I had a meeting right there.  Chic could not talk; his larynx had been removed, so whenever he shared, he wrote it down on a piece of paper.  And he did a lot of writing that night.  He showed me his 19-year medallion, and I marveled at this, considering that perhaps his friends didn’t expect him to make it to 20.  Chic’s room was filled with plants and flowers, and he had so many visitors that the overflow generally ended up in my room, never leaving me alone to stew in my own self pity.   And despite that fact that Chic was dealing with this serious illness, he made an effort to share with me as best he could, to help me through my own difficult time.  Chic’s cancer finally took him a year later, but I will never forget his enthusiasm for helping another.  I have tried to carry that same enthusiasm for service to other addicts with me through my recovery, and now, at 19 years, the blessings I have received through those years serve as my own silver medallion, my own reminder that if I carry the message to another addict with the love and enthusiasm Chic shared with me that night, then I too can have my room filled with many gifts, and more friends than one room can hold.

The yellow balloon fellowships were instrumental in helping me get to that point 19 years ago, where I was able to put it down.  A couple of Wharf Rats named Tony and Kristen showed me a new way to live, and that made it a lot easier to finally make that decision to quit.  I am most grateful to fellowships like the Jellyfish, the Wharf Rats, etc.  You guys make all the difference for me.

Dave