Walkin’ in from the cold hell that is, as we say in certain circles, “out”.  Meaning just this … the inability to put down the poison, whatever it may be to you.  Shivering from the cold shoulder, earned no less, given us by the world at large. We are forced, yes FORCED, to come to “those stupid meetings”.

Bombarded with handshakes/hugs and (hopefully same sex) telephone numbers, we’re dumbfounded by the amount of coffee these weirdo’s can drink. I mean really; don’t they know that stuff’s bad for ‘em? Shovin’ a book at us, callin it a textbook fer shitsakes. They expect studying? Dang I can barely remember my name at this point. And wtf is up with all those sayings on the walls anyhow? “Live and let live”? isn’t that a Paul McCartney song … anyway one little quip sticks out for certain. “Hope is found here.” Damn. Really?

And then it happens.

The moment.

…

The part of the story where we “get it”. Usually in the form of relating to someone who shares some real.  The pain that we thought only WE knew.  For one magic millisecond … we believe we may have found a place where we belong (besides the dope house or bar).  Where people learn to walk again, instead of stagger. And integrity is learned through a simple (but not necessarily easy) set of spiritual tools.

Oh yes. Let’s not forget the laughter. Raucous hoots n hollers about things most would faint over – or at the very least get nauseated.  Joy over the simplest things, like paying bills or answering the phone or showing up at your kids “thing” that you were always to fucked up to go to before.  Yeah. That.

Bottom line. We come seeking shelter from the PoPo or Judge Judy … and under the umbrella we just may find pARIDise.  Hope. Yes it’s found here.  Slave no more, trackmarks be damned, liver damage ye foul spirit be healed (smack yerself on the forehead here please – yes i know it’s a lot to ask – just do it). Serendipity … an unexpected treasure. It’s here. And if ya ain’t found it yet … ask the guy or gal with the shit eating grin on their face (you know the one), apparently there for no good reason.  ‘Cept maybe they see themselves, mirror style, back when they were thinking … the very same things … as you.

(How many cups of coffee do these people DRINK? damn.)