I got lucky on that one.
I got drunk in front of everyone
hit bottom in front of everyone
and got sober in front of everyone.
ALmost everyone who knows me in Butte
(a small town that thinks it's a big city)
Knows I'm sober
and they keep away from me
kinda like wearing a shield of AA -
it naturally repulses the worst of them.
THere's those who don't know
(like the guy across the hall a couple of weeks ago)
who quickly learn that I walk my talk
with my sobriety
and there's no 'ways in' for them to sneak through.
But when they come to me for help
I have the time and the energy
to get them where they need to be -
which, *I* believe in and of itself
is what frightens the very bad ones
so much.
That I know a way out
and used it.
SO for that I am grateful.
I don't believe there is a 'fair' way to treat those
whose actions put us on the defense
or frighten us.
Our feelings and fears are valid
and I honor mine
by not allowing that in my circle any longer.
Just how I do it.