I ran into an old acquaintance of mine about two months ago. I didn't really like him back then b/c I thought I was a bad ass and that "having fun and laughing" was not cool.....I wanted to be like G. This guy was always happy go lucky. I didn't like that. And G thought him and his friends were freaks, so of course....well, you know.
Anyway, this guy was into drugs back then (weed, cocaine, acid, and drinking). I partied too, but the cocaine thing was a huge turnoff. I haven't seen him for 12 years or so...kinda forgot about him too. Turns out, six months ago, he got a DUI and was court ordered to to an extensive outpatient program, he has to take a urine test 2 times a week and uses a breath thing to start his car.
He really helped me alot to understand what the drugs can do to a person and how they take over ones mind. He told me that he had a choice...keep it up and lose his kids, or stop. He told me that he had to move and delete everyone he knew out of his phone and basically had to leave everyone behind to start his sober life. Its been a struggle for him, but he's doing it....and that's a lot for me to admire.
So for the last 2 months I've talked to him a lot, we laugh and share. He has been very helpful to me and I've been helpful for him (he just seperated from his girlfriend about 3 months ago b/c of irreconsilable (SP) differences). We are becomin good friends.....NOTHING MORE!!! lol He told me that filing for divorce was like ripping off a bandaid....good advice for me
So, today me and the kids went to the Paul Brown Stadium to watch his son and my neice play football (my neice happens to be a cheerleader for his team). Tonight, he had a "SOBER" party. Some of his friends from his NA meeting was there and a couple other friends of his were there. It was so nice to actually sit around a fire with people my age who weren't drinking, or smoking weed, or talking trash, or staggering, or acting stupid..pardon the expression. The kids all played together and the adults played too (there were four accustic guitar players there). It was relaxing! I really enjoyed myself, and I met some new people too
G always told me that it helped him play guitar when he was drinking, that the two go hand in hand more or less...after he pawned his guitar, I realized that was just an excuse to drink.
Two months ago, I would have been totally uncomfortable going to a party were I knew no one....I never even gave it a thought tonight. I chimed in with these people like I've known them forever. And, although I didn't know any of the songs they played, I was comfortable. Could be my new attitude??? Who knows
Anyway, just thought I'd share.