The Rest of the Story

News commentator Paul Harvey died at age 90 years just one year ago today. Paul was quirky in his radio news delivery and he often featured folksy background stories on events and people in the news. Some thought his color commentary often propagated urban legends as at the end of segments he would add, "and now you know the rest of the story."

A bit more egregious than Paul Harvey's truth-stretching anecdotes, was the path author James Frey took with a recent book "A Million Little Pieces", an emotionally hard to read story of drug use but, lightly, of unconventional recovery. Oprah loved it but Frey ultimately was exposed for using fiction to pump up the supposedly true drama in his book. (I listened to the recorded books version. Whether fact or fiction --- the book was good. I didn't like the characters much, save some dedicated staff and Myles Davis)the dialog is some scenes caused very painful flashbacks!)

Sarah, Sarah, Sarah ... do we really want to know the rest of your story, the fill-in-the-blanks portion of your life that could be entitled "One Third of My Life Is Missing"? As a recovery exercise, Sarah completed a time-line of her life, a drug history, a relapse history, and she wrote her own obituary. I suppose she could write an autobiography tinged with humor, sadness, pain, and the horrors of addiction. I HOPE someday she will write her recovery timeline.

So it goes. Sarah's story needs no fiction, and while not as dramatic as Frey's, her tragedy may yet be one of hope and recovery.

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Our visit Saturday was a delight. The newbies are seeking the short trail to sobriety and recovery ... most will discover that the trail isn't short at all. The traveler carries a heavy burden because family and friends are on a parallel journey intertwined like the double helix of DNA. F & F, whether we realize it or not, are seekers of sanity; we long for recovery from the effects of addiction; and we hope for discovery of either lost dreams or new ones. Along with those afflicted, we are seeking the strength to stay on the path to sobriety, sanity, and ultimately, serenity.

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The sun peeked out. Sarah was given a pass until 7 PM. What a busy afternoon. We sat at Arby's for 20 minutes while planning what Sarah wanted to do while on "pass".

Job applications, a couple of pairs of new jeans (Sarah really likes the Irish cook), and a trip to the Franklin WalMart! Her privilege materialized!!!! She advanced to the level where she can have her cell phone for brief periods. Rather than deal with her suspended service and phone contract she now has a prepaid model at half the monthly price.

We know there is risk! Every step, every earned privilege, and every bit of freedom entails risk but how else can she be reintroduced to personal responsibility? She can fall back on old behaviors but she cannot be isolated from reality --- the good news is that "reality" is being gradually being phased back into her life. She will be held accountable as she practices applying discipline, puts new beliefs into practice, and walks tall like a confident 20 year old.

We ended the night at Starbucks and then we took the ride back to her "home". She reiterated that she's glad to be there, is comfortable, and happy. She likes the pace of the program and the people. She sees progress just as we do.

The crock pot simmers, slowly releases aroma of its ingredients, and entices us to think this might be the right recipe! Nothing like a good meal while on the trail.

As for Saturday's success .... "now you know the rest of the story."