Monday, January 21, 2008

A Game for the Ages

What a game. It was one of those games where you didn't want either team to loose. And though I am a Green Bay fan, I am a Giants fanatic. With only the slightest bit of regret because of all my friends in Hayward, I was a very happy camper yesterday evening. It was a crazy final few minutes of regulation and overtime. My phone kept ringing. My son, who is now stationed down in Mississippi, called several times to talk about high points and low points and missed calls. I heard from several friends back in Hayward, in fact Rollie called to watch the field goal kick in overtime and because his cable feed was about 4 seconds ahead of mine, he offered my a very gracious congratulations before I saw the ball being snapped from center. Thanks Rollie. And congratulations to all the Green Bay fans on an excellent season and a truly class football team.

Now lets hope all experts continue to give the Giants no chance to win like they have the last three weeks and see if the G-Men can be the fly in the Patriots ointment down in Arizona.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Fellowship

When I was running and gunning, I can remember so many different times when I would be in a room full of people I had know all my life and feeling like I was all alone. I felt like there was a hole inside me that no amount of sex or drugs or rock and roll could fill. And I felt like none of the people in that room understood or even cared.

I have not felt that way for the last fourteen years. When I came into the rooms of AA fourteen years ago, I found a way of life that I can't imagine being without today. I found a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Since that day, these men and women have seen me through the first stages of my recovery. They loved me until I learned to love myself. They saw me throught the death and passing of my mom when I was about five years sober. They were with me when I found and married the love of my life, a wonderful woman who is also in recovery. They were with me when my grandma passed away, when my niece died last year and they were there for me when my own daughter passed away last year.

Through all the joy, through all the sorrow, from New York to California and from Alaska to Texas, these men and women have been there for me. I have never felt alone. I have never been alone.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Happy New Year

Well its the start of a another new year and the start to another new job. After three and a half years in Wisconsin, we find ourselves in Nebraska. It was very hard leaving all the friends we made there behind but I know there are many new friends here in Columbus that we just haven't met yet.
I haven't posted in a while due to all the packing, moving and regular holiday hubbub that comes along every year. But we made the move without incident and are getting nicely settled into our new apartment. I need to take a moment to remember my daughter Annette. One year ago yesterday, the Lord called her home. There is hardly a day that goes by that I don't grieve her passing. I miss her so much. She was so special in so many ways. She was challenged, but never submitted to her challenges, she never gave in and she never gave up. Things for her in this life were never going to be the way she imagined them, they were never going to be the way she longed for them to be but that never stopped her from dreaming that some day her dreams would come true. She was just shy of her thirty-second birthday and left two young sons behind. But she left them with her mom. They will be well cared for and loved. Annette, you did your job. Your dreams did come true and now you can rest from your labors in the loving arms of your Lord and Savior. I know you accepted Jesus into your life and I know in my heart that He has taken you into His care. I am happy for you honey.