My Sponsor Passed - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

Rusty Zipper · 10-05-2008, 10:28 AM

the man that was the most helpful in my recovery from alcohol, drugs, and myself... has passed on today...

he has been very ill for two long, and more operations did not help...

he had cancer...

i have had a number of losses in my time in recovery, the biggest one was SR's Miracal... my girlfriend...

before, and after her passing, Big Dan was there for me all the way...

he and i have very similar storys, his lady passed from addictions also...

with his wisdom, Big Dan has helped me to not only stay sober and face death...

Big Dan has helped me to grow up, and live the twelve steps of recovery...

you will be dearly missed Dan...

not only by me...

missed by all who's life you gave back to, loved, and touched...

rest in peace my spiritual father...

i miss you so already...

your a part of me, and i love you forever...

patrick

PS

Dan, i will be ok!

and i dont have to medicate my feelings...

you helped teach me that!

orviske · 10-05-2008, 10:40 AM

Rusty,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and "Big Dan".

I'm glad you realized you don't need to medicate your feelings!

Getting through times like this can be tough......

Hugs, Prayers and Blessings,

K

NOMOMERLOTMAMMA · 10-05-2008, 10:52 AM

I'm glad that you shared Pat...much love and prayers sent out for you and Dan's other loved ones..

xo

bluerskies · 10-05-2008, 11:20 AM

Rusty - I hear so much love in your voice. I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you had such a strong person to help guide you in your recovery.

I know he would smile at the end of your letter.

Hope · 10-05-2008, 11:30 AM

(((Rusty)))

I'm sorry for your loss. You were very blessed to have a great guide like Big Dan in your life. A part of him will live on in you.

TTOSBT · 10-05-2008, 11:32 AM

RZ,
I am so very sorry for your loss but also so happy for you that you had such a wonderful friend and sponsor in your life. He has taught you so much and I m sure he is so proud!

bostonluv · 10-05-2008, 12:38 PM

Oh Rusty Zipper...this is tragic. I am so sorry but the silver lining in your post: "I will be ok. I don't have to medicate my feelings" is a real tribute to your sponsor. And to you.

stone · 10-05-2008, 12:44 PM

Sorry to hear that Pat.

I agree with what Boston said totally!

Wolfstarr · 10-05-2008, 12:57 PM

((((Rusty))))) I am sorry for your loss in this life...

"Imagine for a moment that we are standing on the sea shore. We have waved goodbye to our friend who is sailing away on a large clipper ship. We stand and watch the billowing white sails and the boat appears to get smaller and smaller. Finally, it moves beyond our sight. "There he goes," we say. But in reality, the boat has not vanished nor is it gone. It is simply out of our sight. On a far off shore there are others standing and waiting and they excitedly call out, "Here he comes!"

And there he is....
Love and Light to you and your loving sponsor who left you so much, dear Rusty...

**Impurrfect** · 10-05-2008, 01:27 PM

(((Rusty)))

I'm so sorry about your sponsor, but he will live on...through you.

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

Rusty Zipper · 10-05-2008, 06:47 PM

blue

Quote:

I know he would smile at the end of your letter.

ya know, that big galoot would, then say... now, go help another drunk!

wolf'y, that was touching, thanks much...

and thank you all family...

i wished you all would have met him tho...

funny, in a way you did... through me...

lizw · 10-05-2008, 07:56 PM

take it easy
:ghug2

serenityqueen · 10-05-2008, 08:39 PM

((((Rusty))))

Sorry to hear about your loss.

Thank you for the touching post, I can visualize Big Dan.

His Spirit lives on in you.

Judy

historyteach · 10-06-2008, 12:36 AM

(((Pattee)))

I'm so sorry for your loss...

He's in a better place, free from pain today.
G*D is good.

Shalom!

IO Storm · 10-06-2008, 02:06 AM

Patrick,

I just saw this. Tears ran down my face as I realize something. It is for

your sense of of loss because I know you will miss him so.

But it was something you said.

Quote:

i wished you all would have met him tho...

funny, in a way you did... through me...

So, he must have been a wonderful sponsor and mentor.

Because he has helped and inspired you, you have helped and inspired

me and touched my life in these last two years in more ways

than you can know.

So I feel like like I have met Dan, and have gotten to know him.

And remember, it's not goodbye, but until then.

Love you,

Sher

Rowan · 10-06-2008, 03:32 AM

Thanks for coming here and sharing, Pattee - and thanks for sharing so generously what Dan shared with you. Thinking of you (((Pattee)))

Rusty Zipper · 10-06-2008, 03:38 AM

sis

Quote:

And remember, it's not goodbye, but until then.

May God bless us and keep us...

***Anna*** · 10-06-2008, 11:06 AM

Rusty,

I am so sorry for your loss.

Big Dan would be very proud of you.

scaredykat · 10-06-2008, 01:36 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss Rusty.

You and Big Dan are in my thoughts and prayers.

deedee · 10-06-2008, 02:51 PM

(((Patrick)))

I am so sorry for your loss and I can see how special this man was thru your words. May Big Dan rest in peace and my prayers are with you always Pattee for comfort, peace, and strength.

love and hugs ~

deedee

10-05-2008, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 40,810	My Sponsor Passed the man that was the most helpful in my recovery from alcohol, drugs, and myself... has passed on today... he has been very ill for two long, and more operations did not help... he had cancer... i have had a number of losses in my time in recovery, the biggest one was SR's Miracal... my girlfriend... before, and after her passing, Big Dan was there for me all the way... he and i have very similar storys, his lady passed from addictions also... with his wisdom, Big Dan has helped me to not only stay sober and face death... Big Dan has helped me to grow up, and live the twelve steps of recovery... you will be dearly missed Dan... not only by me... missed by all who's life you gave back to, loved, and touched... rest in peace my spiritual father... i miss you so already... your a part of me, and i love you forever... patrick PS Dan, i will be ok! and i dont have to medicate my feelings... you helped teach me that! __________________ *Rule 62*

10-05-2008, 10:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
NOMOMERLOTMAMMA No more merlot, more mamma Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hills, Ct Posts: 2,138 Blog Entries: 36	I'm glad that you shared Pat...much love and prayers sent out for you and Dan's other loved ones.. xo __________________ But I always think that the best way to know God is to love many things. ~Vincent van Gogh

10-05-2008, 11:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
bluerskies watching the clouds roll away Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: bliss Posts: 76	Rusty - I hear so much love in your voice. I am sorry for your loss, but glad that you had such a strong person to help guide you in your recovery. I know he would smile at the end of your letter. __________________ In memory of Mike, brilliant artist, loyal friend, beloved soul who passed away on September 11, 2008 from the disease of addiction. If you are lost please take this chance to go to a meeting today or ask someone for help.

10-05-2008, 12:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
bostonluv Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern CA Posts: 1,724	Oh Rusty Zipper...this is tragic. I am so sorry but the silver lining in your post: "I will be ok. I don't have to medicate my feelings" is a real tribute to your sponsor. And to you. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill

10-05-2008, 12:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
stone Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: UK Posts: 18,300	Sorry to hear that Pat. I agree with what Boston said totally! __________________ . As from a fire aflame thousands of sparks come forth, even so from the Creator an infinity of beings have life and to him return again. -- Maitri Upanishads

10-05-2008, 10:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
orviske Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mobile AL Posts: 101	Rusty, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and "Big Dan". I'm glad you realized you don't need to medicate your feelings! Getting through times like this can be tough...... Hugs, Prayers and Blessings, K

10-05-2008, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hope Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Recovery Posts: 3,342	(((Rusty))) I'm sorry for your loss. You were very blessed to have a great guide like Big Dan in your life. A part of him will live on in you.

10-05-2008, 11:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
TTOSBT To Thine Own Self Be True Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,947	RZ, I am so very sorry for your loss but also so happy for you that you had such a wonderful friend and sponsor in your life. He has taught you so much and I m sure he is so proud!

10-05-2008, 12:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Wolfstarr Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Deeeep South Posts: 777	((((Rusty))))) I am sorry for your loss in this life... "Imagine for a moment that we are standing on the sea shore. We have waved goodbye to our friend who is sailing away on a large clipper ship. We stand and watch the billowing white sails and the boat appears to get smaller and smaller. Finally, it moves beyond our sight. "There he goes," we say. But in reality, the boat has not vanished nor is it gone. It is simply out of our sight. On a far off shore there are others standing and waiting and they excitedly call out, "Here he comes!" And there he is.... Love and Light to you and your loving sponsor who left you so much, dear Rusty... __________________

10-05-2008, 01:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Impurrfect Social Network Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 25,173	(((Rusty))) I'm so sorry about your sponsor, but he will live on...through you. Hugs and prayers! Amy __________________ "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" - Joyce Meyer "You got what it takes you can win, today is your day to begin. - Shania Twain (Tinker, Elvis [RIP], Patches and Mots - Mouth Of The South)

10-05-2008, 07:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
lizw God's Kid Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,565	take it easy :ghug2 __________________ ....blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

10-05-2008, 08:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
serenityqueen Attitude of Gratitude Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,306	((((Rusty)))) Sorry to hear about your loss. Thank you for the touching post, I can visualize Big Dan. His Spirit lives on in you. Judy __________________ Just when the Catterpillar thought her life was over, She became a Butterfly 7/25/05

10-06-2008, 12:36 AM	#14 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,300	(((Pattee))) I'm so sorry for your loss... He's in a better place, free from pain today. GD is good. Shalom! __________________ IMAGINE*

10-06-2008, 03:32 AM	#16 (permalink)
Rowan Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 12,136	Thanks for coming here and sharing, Pattee - and thanks for sharing so generously what Dan shared with you. Thinking of you (((Pattee)))

10-06-2008, 11:06 AM	#18 (permalink)
*Anna* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dancing in the Light Posts: 27,794	Rusty, I am so sorry for your loss. Big Dan would be very proud of you. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Marianne Willianson

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10-06-2008, 01:36 PM	#19 (permalink)
scaredykat Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate, N.Y. Posts: 4,593 Blog Entries: 7	I'm so sorry for your loss Rusty. You and Big Dan are in my thoughts and prayers. __________________ * BB quotes cited from the 1st Ed.* One Day at a Time Sobriety Date: Jan 19, 2008

10-06-2008, 02:51 PM	#20 (permalink)
deedee Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Faith~Hope~Love Posts: 935	(((Patrick))) I am so sorry for your loss and I can see how special this man was thru your words. May Big Dan rest in peace and my prayers are with you always Pattee for comfort, peace, and strength. love and hugs ~ deedee __________________ ~ While the light lasts I shall remember and in the darkness I shall not forget ~