Every Tuesday is Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub
Today @ 3 PM Eastern doors open for OLN week#113
Mary--
I didn't even know her name. She saw I was adrift. Sober ninety days. Living in Alcoholic limbo. She saw in me fear, hopelessness, despair. June 1974 she simply handed me a brand new Hazelden 24-Hours-A-Day-Book©. She did not bark at me to "Get a sponsor" or "Work the Steps" or "You're gonna get drunk again" or "You'll never make it"... She said only, "Here--read this every day". That was thirty-nine years ago. And I still read it every day. And I'm still sober--2013. Sadly, Mary didn't make it, died drunk several years later. God bless her!
Then it was I had found out that God does not talk in thunderous bass voice from the skies. He speaks through others, often people with quiet voices, passing on inspired, gentle suggestions put in their heads. It's the way I see it.
PEACE and LIGHT
steveroni
very cool that you met her and how that book changed your life... and so sad she didn't make it.. and yes.. god speaks in so many different voices...sometimes even though donkeys for those of us who absolutely don't get it-- ha-- oy, i'm glad he does..
ReplyDeleteSometimes I believed that our donkeys were the smartest animals on the farm.
DeleteThe females always looked so sad to me (age 3-8) before I found out they cannot have babies--I mean DONKEY babies--grin!
smiles...pretty amazing the people he uses to speak into our lives...and how...and how some just know how to speak to us in a way that we can hear it...when others can not....
ReplyDeleteYeah, Bro...sometimes it happens..............well, SPEAK!
Delete:-)
Steve, you're really wise. I enjoyed hearing the story of Mary. I am sure that she would be touched if she knew you remembered. Though she herself didn't make it, I think she was an angel. They really do walk on earth, I think. And yes, He speaks through others! Touching writing here today.
ReplyDeleteLots of people like Mary have gone that direction, and I know them, and sometimes I really feel that inspired thoughts or words emanate from these--as you say--angels.
DeleteThanks!
Hi Steve, Thankful that you had an open heart to accept Mary's advice. I prefer God to speak in a still small voice. It's more tender and personal. Very proud of you! 1 Kings 19:11-13
ReplyDeleteEllie Kings, thanks for all your beautifl work on dVerse this week!
DeleteThat’s exactly how it is. Thunder and lightning rarely have anything to do with blinding insights.
ReplyDeleteI have been fortunate never to have been a drunk (the first 2 times I was drunk I felt so rotten, I never tried again) but I have had my ups and downs in different ways, as has everybody who has a few years on their backs.
Steve, yes that is a castle ruin in my back yard, the house in front is where I live. I am sitting in the room at the right hand end of the house, which is my study.
Thanks for the sticker info, these shocks happen to me frequently, just recently in fact when I looked at clothes in some catalogues. Probably goes to show how long ago I last bought any clothes.
I like blongs, they show that somebody cares. Would you care enough to add yourself to my followers? You’ll see my mugshot added to yours.
Have a nice day. It’s night here, I’m about to go to bed.
Thanks for signing on, Friko...Yup, I got the back of my head on yours now!
DeleteMessage --your inbox re your photo...
exactly so in my experience as well Steve. exactly so.
ReplyDeleteExactly so, my dear.......
DeleteAin't life grand?
Sweet man ... Proud man ... I consider myself one of the lucky ones to get to know you ... day by day, week by week, month by month ... I'm stumbling through language barriers all the time, let's stumble through life together for a bit, eh ... Thank you for being you, Stevie ... always, cat.
ReplyDeleteHave to bathe my head in cold water before bed tonight...
Deleteb/c it just noe got so BIG!
Thanks Cat...Lovely comment, girl.
Steve..people come in different forms and different voices..they are sent in forms that we can understand..sometimes, the loudest voice comes from the softest soul..something to ponder..I am glad you heard the message.
ReplyDeletePeace & Light always...
That is all SO True, Dessa!
DeleteThis is a lovely story of victory and perseverance, dear Steve. Wish Mary had made it as well!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the voice is different for different people.
Joy always,
Susan
Joy always to "see" you here, Susan Deborah!
DeletePEACE and LIGHT, and more.....
Steve
So sorry that Mary could not keep her sobriety, and yet she gave you that wonderful gift without the usual pontifications. (Mom was recovering from 60 until she died, sober, at 69, so I've heard it all.)
ReplyDeleteSteve, you hit the nail on the head. In my faith, we say "God is still speaking," meaning through people we meet. Your post is testament to that fact. God is all around us, if only we can learn to listen. Peace, Amy
Listening is good. Hearing then is next step?
DeleteThanks for weighing in, Sharpie!
Beautiful, Steve. So touching.
ReplyDeleteDear Lidia, thank you for taking time to respond here, while on your visit(s). I sure appreciate that. You going back soon to home in Philippines?
DeleteBlessings on your journey.
Angels come in different identities.
ReplyDeleteShe was Mary at that time.
You may be right, 61. My picture of angel is each has an identity as we do, the name given us..it is one of the important things parents do for us. Few realize that the name given to me at birth will stay with me throughout eternity.
ReplyDeleteAngel Gabriel is still Angel Gabriel, Joseph will still be Joseph. Any complications in all this I figure God can handle...
Again this is MY fantasy.
Thank you for sharing. This is special.
ReplyDeleteDo not remember visiting your blog...but now I've been there, it is one more very special place to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Sad for Mary, yet she played a vital part in giving of herself. I agree it is through one another the voice whispers. Each of are used to help regardless of our own personal status, exemplified by Mary's unfortunate decline. You and Mary shared a special bond and I am glad her gift held you strong as you hold her in your memory.
ReplyDeleteComment is so well stated...thank you, D.
DeleteSo sad re Mary Steve, however wherever she is now she knows she made a difference in at leats one person's life.
ReplyDeleteActually, Mary made a difference in many lives--she had been sober for some long time, but....alcoholism is a disease which sits there quietly waiting for it's moment to come back out and kill us. My opinion.
DeleteHow wonderful that she came to you like an angel and changed your life in a quiet and loving way. Wishing you peace and light always.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate this understanding comment, Ayala. thank you.
DeleteBless you on your sobriety. It is a hard road, I know.
ReplyDeleteBeth...sobriety is like--well, normal, and not a hard road at all. I go to lots meetings, sponsor half dozen guys, life is (hate to say it!) FUN! Every day at meetings I see people who behave like I USED to act. They are like I was. And I thank God for that. And if they "want" help...that's what I do.
DeleteHope you understand.
Steve, how wonderful that you had Mary to guide you.
ReplyDeleteI believe in angels, she was one.
Sorry she is gone.
May she RIP.
Thanks Margie. That was 39 years ago...but still recall, when the thought is triggered.
Deletewow..
ReplyDeletetrue.. God never speaks in loud words.. he uses voices of friends, relatives and like to help and guide us.
In Gita (a holy book in India) it's written that... supreme god makes us do things. He is pulling our strings but he make us think that we are moving ourselves with help from friends and others..
and God takes pleasure in that..
I don't know what is right..
but good things do happen.. and that's all I care :)