Definitely the highlight of my year

January 16, 2014

When I was laying in the hospital bed I started thinking about my routine...get home, TV, eat, TV, walk dog, TV, go to bed. Frankly, a lot of wasted time. What could I do with some of this time?

I was DT at a meeting my second day back at work and, while walking on Metcalfe, I was approached by a man who was obviously on something, asking me for money and it hit me.

I have an alcoholic brother, 2 sisters and a nephew who are alcoholics and drug addicts and half my mother's family almost live at the casinos.

As soon as I was back at work, I started researching outpatient addiction treatment centers in Ottawa and that afternoon I was interviewed to be a volunteer peer counselor. I have had several info sessions and discussions with the counselors and staff and last night was my first night with an addict.

His wife and teenage son were both there. I listened to them all, talked a little myself and, after 2 hours, he looks me in the eye and asks me if I will go with him to an "anonymous" meeting tonight. I looked straight into his eyes and said "7 days a week if you want".

His wife started crying, his son started crying, he started crying and, well, needless to say, I needed Kleenex. We talked a little more before they left and, as they were leaving, his wife hugged me and whispered "thank you".

So, they leave and the director comes to ask me how it went...I tell her...she starts to cry. Apparently they have been trying to get him to go for 3 years and he refuses.

Why am I sharing? At 6:15 this morning I received a text from him asking if I can pick him up at 6:30 tonight to go to the meeting.

He slept on it and didn't change his mind...I am proud of him...and my day could not start any better.