[laurie6781]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Opportunities.

Yes, I was given a second chance, it will be 27 years on June 7th and somehow I knew it was my LAST chance.

I followed suggestions to the best of my ability in early recovery, usually kicking and screaming, but I did them. As time passes and I worked the steps, my life got better. So many things and people have been put before me in these years I couldn't begin to relate all of them here. One that does stand out is that my 2nd sponsee became homeless (not of her making) and I spoke with my sponsor about letting her move into the guest bedroom. Bev thought it would be all right so I offered the room.

My sponsee jumped on it and it was good for both of us, she lived with me for 1 1/2 years and we've had had a 22 year relationship, very close relationship. She is living in Norway now and has for the last 7+ years (thank HP for telephones and thank Qwest for their low International package). We develope a friendship that will last into the beyond.

There have been numerous different kinds of opportunities..............................at a time when I had some extra cash a friend was going through some really rough times, her hubby had had several heart attacks, couldn't work, etc.....I chose to send her some money for several months running, she promised profusely to repay me, I said NO, when the time comes PASS IT ON.

That friend holds down a full time job, her hubby has slowly gotten better, and she was offered a 2nd job............................................... .........as Manager and Overseer of a Recovery Home for Alcoholic and Drug Addicted Women.

She would no longer even have still been in that area had not she received help from several friends in recovery. HP's will? I believe so. Now she is passing it on where and when needed.

Opportunities, oh yes, and many times we don't know that that is what they are until days, weeks, months, or even years later.

I have learned to "keep my mind open" and I ask HP daily to help me be aware of what is going on around me.

Have I missed out on opportunites? H*ll yes. Whether too blind, or too judgmental, or too stupid. However, there again, in hindsight, I have to believe that they were just not suppose to be.

I do believe it goes back to THE PROMISES, the one that says:

"We will intuitively know how to handle things that used to baffle us." That is all encompassing, at least for this alkie. It covers the good, the bad, and the possibilities.

It works for me.

J M H O

Love and hugs,