A Gift to Give Away

I have been thinking about what to write for the YeahWrite blog this week.  April 11,  I celebrate 25 years being clean and sober.  I am sober today “through the Grace of God and the program and fellowship of my twelve step program.” It is a day of mixed emotions-gratitude for a second chance at life, love for family and friends, a sense of peace and serenity, and grieving the loss of friends not here to celebrate these things.

I thought I would write a beautiful, touching, inspirational blog.  Those never come out quite the way you imagine.  About ten years ago, I wrote a poem; something I rarely do.  I submitted it to a recovery journal and they published it that April.  I decided to simply share that with you today.

A Gift to Give Away

I came to you with head held low.

I came to you no place to go.

I came to you when I had no hope.

I came to you when I couldn’t  cope.

I came to you with fear and pain.

I came to you not sure I was sane.

I came when all I could do was cry.

I came to you when I wanted to die.

You looked at me and at once I knew

That what you said to me was true.

You knew the fear I had inside

You knew how much I wanted to hide.

You told me I would be OK.

You told me to live just for today.

You said there was a lot to do

But you would help me see it through.

I had to find a power greater than me

If I wanted to learn to live and be free.

I did not always do it right

But I kept trying with all my might.

One day I laughed and then I found

I really rather liked the sound.

I loved the thought of being alive

And knew somehow I could survive.

You told me that now I had to share,

I had to start to love and care.

I had to share this peace I knew

And let others know they could find it, too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She came to me with eyes that were dead.

“This will not work for me” she said.

I smiled and said “just give it try”

She looked at me and asked me “why?”

Because I once felt the same as you

And I know what you are going through.

I was given a gift to give away

And so I give it to you today.

Do with this gift whatever you choose,

Take a chance, what have you got to lose?