angels

I have met some of the most amazing angels recently in the form of parents of addicts. It's almost like I have been welcomed into an exclusive club where the members are warm, loving and supportive and completely dedicated to the same goal as me - to keep my child sober and me sane.

You'll notice I said "MY child" and "ME sane." They listen when I talk, sympathize with and understand what I'm going through, and show me the way when I am frustrated or lost. They also welcome my daughter into their homes, offer to drive miles and miles out of their way to give her rides to meetings and AA events, encourage her, and just generally love on her.

They do this all while trying to support their own kids in their sobriety. I met a dad this week who drives 95 miles ONE WAY to take his son to his favorite NA meeting. He does this EVERY WEEK. A couple of the kids serve on the Young People's AA (YPAA) committees (they have branches at the international, national, state, and regional levels). Their parents drive them several nights a week and almost every weekend to meetings, conventions, fly them to national events, etc etc etc. In most cases, these are working, middle-class parents who have made the commitment to keep ALL kids who are willing, sober.

I feel so blessed to be a member of this club. I look forward to returning the favors and passing on the love that has been so graciously gifted to me.