Gratitude and Grace

I was at Valley Hope in July, 2004. I had just been fired from a job in Garden City and my life was in shambles. I decided to "take the cure" on my way back home in Ohio. I'm grateful that I have been sober since my second day at Valley Hope, July 3, 2004. The Valley Hope staff felt that I was too high on sobriety and that I might relapse. Indeed, my first year of sobriety was as living on a pink cloud. Then at my first year anniversary and for the next 13 months the high left and I was confronted with what I had wished for while at Valley Hope--to be able to live life on life's terms. I had moments of depression, despair, and temptations to relapse. During this period I continued to practice the things that willing people do in AA. I began to work the steps, went to meetings several times a week, talked with my sponsor and other AA's. I found a new job which is the worst of my professional experience. And eventually, through surrender and acceptance, I began to experience serenity and peace of mind for the first time in my life. Alcoholics Anonymous has saved my life. I recall while in Norton that AA meetings were few and far between for most of my recovering friends living out west. At almost any hour of the day I am no more than one hour away from hundreds of AA meetings. The meetings I regularly attend are twenty minutes from my house. I am grateful & blessed. My higher power whom I call God and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous keeps me sober today. But I owe so much to my time at Valley Hope. I can remember stating during my "graduation" speech that miracles occur at Valley Hope. God's grace is rich & free at Valley Hope. (This may be one reason that my counselor Larry thought that I got the message a little too well). I am a grateful alcoholic today, and my gratitude began at Valley Hope. I was internally crushed when I arrived, but I was embraced by the staff--Bob, Larry, Annie, Matthew, Megan, and others. They exuded unconditional love for me. I can't imagine that every staff person I mentioned could still be there because of the dedication and burn-out factor. They gave so much and loved so much. These selfless people knew their higher power intimately and trusted that He could do for me what I could not do for myself. They were right. I may never be able to collect my coffee cup that I made while at Valley Hope. But, I will never forget the grace I experienced while there. I've lost contact with everyone who joined me in my journey toward recovery at Valley Hope. I pray that they are still sober today. My experience in AA tells me otherwise--people come and people go. You saved my life and I can never say thank you sufficiently for that fact. There's at least one person in Ohio that loves those of you in Norton that made the difference. Bill C

By: Bill C.