My first weekend off since detox with no
supervision. John and I attend the morning
meeting of alcoholic anonymous and I notice
a large amount of the guys are veterans that
are staying at the two homeless shelters in
town, for the first time in my life, I realize a
large problem exist with the veterans but
mostly self inflicted, I say to myself, but not
me, its my ex wife who caused me to drink.
We then go do our laundry, time for lunch,
we head for subway and then head out to
attended a 12:30 AA meeting. Done with
the meeting we go to a movie to pass the
time away, then another 5pm meeting and
return to the Salvation Army. Sunday John
and I started discussing our past and got
to know each other a little bit better, but
what seem to bring about a bond between
us was a simple conversation. John had
said to me, follow me and I looked at him
and said, why would I follow an Army guy
that in peace time, in South Korea steps on
one of our own mines and blows his leg off.
Well John looked at me for what seemed
like a long time then started laughing and
said, Al, your right, I will follow you into
that store, I need to buy something, well
that statement seemed, for some reason,
form a closer bond between us.
I considered myself lucky, I had a vehicle
to get around in to kill time, most guys did
not and free time leads to boredom and
boredom leads to alcohol for me, at least
I could drive around, go places and keep
my mind off of drinking.
John and I attended 3 Alcoholics Anonymous
meetings Sunday and the weekend came to
a close with our being sober, the first time
in thirty years for me. I felt good and I said
to myself, you have the problem licked.
Author: Sobriety Veteran Guy
Alden Morrison
