Well I know it's been a week since I checked in here and for that I'm sorry, but this has been one of the most troubling weeks ever. There was the three day stretch where I got a wake up phone call to inform me that someone special in my life had passed away.
First there was Mario, a 72 year old man who was one of the kindest, giving people I have ever met. He was the first face anyone saw when they walked in the front door of the Fern House. Mario had been sick lately, and I guess it was just his time. He lived life the way he wanted, and helped hundreds of addicts and alcoholics start the road to recovery. That was the Saturday morning phone call which came an hour after I got home from work. Needless to say I didn't do much sleeping before going to work Sunday night.
Monday morning the phone rang again, this time it was about the loss of Mikey D. Mike was a comedian, and a recovering addict. He did many shows for free to benefit places like the Fern House, and several of the local clubhouses in the area. Mike was a headline comedian who was a finalist on the NBC show "The Last Comic Standing". Mike was 44 years old and died 12 years clean from a massive heart attack.
Monday night I got a phone call from a friend named Nikki. She called tell me that her fiancé Jeffery Parrish was in the hospital for a minor heart attack and asked if I would come visit to raise his spirits the next morning. I of course said yes as Jeff was a close friend for several years. I called her back an hour later to find out the visiting hours when she informed me he had had another heart attack and was now on life support. Jeff passed away at 430 in the morning Tuesday.
This has been a very sad week which continued Wednesday night at the Fern House. One of the two gentlemen who had expressed an interest in investing in the treatment center I want to open took the first check from his trust account and went to smoke crack. It's sad that it means he probably will not invest, but much worse that he has enough money to kill himself, and probably will. I have decided to table the idea of the treatment center for a little while, I just don't think the time is right.
The one thing I can and am happy to say is all three friends who passed, did so clean and sober! I guess that means each of them won the fight about sobriety.
Well that's it for now, maybe next time I won't post such depressing stuff. I hope you all have a great day
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friends, Chuck. Truly. The fact that they stayed clean and sober should be celebrated. I do hope it gives you hope and gratification, especially during the sad and frustrating times, because there will be those. I also hope it helps you keep your determination to stay on track with your plans for the future. It's certainly a worthwhile endeavor. Big hugs, honey.
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting for this post, I knew Mario and Mike for a long time. We all did irreversible damages to our bodies with years of abuse. And then we pay the price.
ReplyDeleteMario was a dear friend, Mike was one funny dude, the world of recovering addicts and alcoholics has lost some good friends.
I hope your trust fund friend makes it back before it is too late, it is always sad to hear about relapses, even though they are a part of this horrible disease.
hugs honey...
ReplyDeletelove, mom
xoxoxoxoox
So sorry to hear of all these deaths. I agree with you that the fact they won against addiction is awesome and should be celebrated.
ReplyDeleteI know that this news hurts ur heart... sending a hug your way. Also a prayer that the investor finds his way back to a drug-free life...
Mike was hilarious. I'm sorry to hear about you other two friends.
ReplyDeleteChuck, don't ever be sorry for what you post. You post from the heart and that is why we read. I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friends. I will keep you and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteBobbi
Chuck -
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.
JustJon
That's a lot of stress to lose three friends in such quick order. But I want to point out to you that you've handled it well. These things could well have triggered a less desirable response, but hey --you're here, you're getting through some very emotional times and you've still got your focus.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the treatment center: things happen when it's the right time. Maybe the dream will change as well as the time goes on. The treatment center might be that --but something else as well.
You're doing well, Chuck, and I'm very proud of you.