My reflection on the above passage: During the critical months when my son made the decision to change his life, he worked with Dr. MacAfee, an addiction therapist who was highly intuitive and knowledgeable. He explained to Jeff that, when the using stops, a period of grief would inevitably come, for all the lost time, the years gone by, the people hurt, and the trail of destruction. He said, “The grief will overtake you, and it will be hard. But it’s also a sweet time. Savor it.”
Today’s Promise to consider: Our suffering loved ones know the chaos of court systems and legal problems. They know how to lie, deceive, and manipulate in service of their disease. What they need to learn how to do is to live a transparent life – how to be honest and faithful, and how to find serenity. Today, I pray for all those suffering that they source the courage they need to confront the demon of addiction.
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I talked to my daughter yesterday; she was making plans to celebrate 10 years clean. She told her boyfriend she should take him to the river. It's her favorite place and she went there for years with friends. After she got clean, a good friend who had seen her through the tough times, took her to the beach they liked and she saw how beautiful it was. She hadn't noticed the details of the trees and the beach before.
It is a sweet time and she has savored it for almost 10 years. I wish this happiness for everyone out there that is suffering and not seeing the beauty.
Dear Susan. Thanks for sharing this beautiful story. Your daughter is clean 10 years! This is such a HUGE cause of celebration. God bless her and you. I join you in wishing this happiness to all those suffering. Beauty is all around us, but we need to be able to see it. xoxo
This is an excellent reminder to us what our children must face to make recovery a long term success. It doesn’t come easy. Thanks for all you do Libby!
Dear Pat, You're right - recovery doesn't come easy. I never realized how terrifying it was, and painful. Dr. MacAfee was such an incredible blessing to us. Since he's passed, I've missed him almost daily. Jeff met him at the right time in his journey.
For all those in active recovery and in active addiction and all their loved ones, I pray. For Jeremy and Jeff and Libby, prayers of gratitude.
My precious Joy, I join you in prayer for all those in active recovery and active addiction, and I'm deeply grateful for the prayers for my little family. We all need them. My love to you.