Day 2 - Gone But Never Forgotten

After a workout at the gym (my and about a gazillion others' New Years Resolutions - Daily Workouts) I attended a funeral service for Tony, a Friend of Bill's with more than 30 years sobriety and a man I knew only briefly from a meeting I attended occasionally in a neighboring town. There were at least 250 people in attendance and as Tony was in the US Air Force an honor guard too. The pastor of my own church officiated at the service held in the funeral home and I was moved to tears at the reverence and somber atmosphere that was present. You could have heard a pin drop when the honor guard retrieved the flag from Tony’s casket, unfolded then refolded it, then presented it to Tony’s daughter. I’m so glad I went. Although I didn’t know Tony well, he always spoke with such wisdom which comes only from years of experience and success in the AA program. I will remember Tony as on of “The Winners” I try to stay close to while avoiding or just tolerating the people who are not good for my soul and my recovery. At a meeting I went to last night a woman said something that describes me to a T. She said, in not these exact words; “If you have an operation it’s a minor event. If I have an operation it’s MAJOR SURGERY. That’s how my alcoholic brain sees things!” That’s so typical of alcoholic thinking and fits in the bucket with all other self promoting thoughts and behaviors I find myself constantly having to pray on and ask God to make and keep me “right-sized”. I am truly blessed. I know not all days ahead in this year will be bright but today is a great day and as I’m living one day at a time, that’s just fine with me.