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NA Message Board -> Narcotics Anonymous Message Board -> Story of a friend.............
Post Info TOPIC: Story of a friend.............
Raman


Guru

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Story of a friend.............
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The man was 78 when he died peacefully surrounded by his family day before....
I didnt know he would, otherwise Id have simply cancelled the music practice and gone there instead.....

Anyways, here is his story, which he wanted me to share with other addicts......

Y joined the navy when young and went round the world with it.
In it he found drugs and drink (how familiar !!!)

His addiction forced him to behave in ways that put him at odds with his fellowmen.
One day, after bein dischared from the navy, he went home to find his wife in bed with a young man.
Pon bein discovered, she closed the door on him and never again let him into her life.
She refused to klet their son see him too.

Heartbroken, our man wandered around a broken man, with the old zest for life one. Like the wind was gone from the sail...

Then aroup took him into their care and he later converted to their religion.
That began his clean time too and when he died, he had 36.
No NA or AA or other 12 Steps, just hard, gritty willpower and the new religion....

He met me last year and voulnteered to help with my stage gear.
Once into the act, he said many times to me how much he enjoyed bein there in those events...
He saw and heard me doin varied stuff and was a constant source encouragement.

Then one evening, on an off chance, I took him to an NA meeting.
That did it for him in terms of having to do it with willpower.
We spent many hours havin him share his story and the feelin a peace come over him.
He also attended a few NA events and was a sharer at his home group....

Words cannot express my despair when his nephew called me when I was in music practice and said
"Uncle Y just died"
"Im comin" I said.

To be honest my first thought was
"Oh no,, fukkkkkkkkkkkkk,,, it cant be. Ive missed him"

The point is, I took it for granted he would be well soon.
I took it for granted that Id see him later that nite......

I went to see him peacefully dead, almost like I saw him smile when I called his name out loud in grief !!!!
Then the ladies in that house said to calm down and pray for his soul....

By next day, I was thinkin how Id treated him,,,,
I was generally good with him except for a few flares when I was tired...

This man really fostered compassion in me, and I will be reatful to him for the rest of my life.....
And to think that just twp Sundays ao wed played a son and laid flowers on a younger friend whod died...

Now there I was, in the bright sunlight, hearing the priest singing the hymn that beseeched God to recieve this humble man into Eternal Rest.....

And I was wishing to God for self-forgiveness !!!!

Im glad i knew a man like him, humble yet very knowledeable,
stern but never angry,
poor in material but very rich in spirit......
A man that drew people to him wherever he went,,,
a man that practiced charity for many years.
A man that commanded respect een though shorn of money, property or prestige....

A man that was finally greatful that hed come to know he is an addict and that a life time of puzzlement was answered in that very acceptance...

God our help in aes past and our hope in years to come,,,
rest my dear, beautiful friends soul in Eternal Slumber in your ever loving arms, which thing I know is already granted een without my prayer,,,
Because my dear friend earned all of it throuh his pain, misery and forebearance !!!!


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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
LizC


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sorry for your loss raman.

-- Edited by LizC on Thursday 10th of March 2011 02:22:24 PM

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MIKEF


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Peace and serenity my friend! May God bring a smile to your heart ,not so much what your relationship was with him ,but think of the joy his relationship with you was.He enjoyed being there in those events and you were a big part....... !Each one,reach one to teach one!!!!  In support!



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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery. 
Raman


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Thanks for the sentiments expressed Liz and Mike.......

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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Raman


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Yeah Mike,,,, thanks for that positive stroke !!!

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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
209Fancyface


Veteran Member

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Sorry to hear about your loss. and this is a good example that you dont take things for yesterday you take them for today. cuz sometimes tomorrow never comes. and then your living with regrets.

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Ruthy


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Thankyou Raman for sharing that story of a man with a beautiful sole, a man who walked the same path as we have, it brought a tear to my eye.......

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It's the people with the cracks that let the light shine through
Raman


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Right on Roberta,,,,

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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
Raman


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Ohhhh Ruthy,,,,
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))


Im still mournin his loss !
And to think that when I moved to a bigger vehicle, one of the reasons I decided was that the ole man would have a nice long seat to sleep in on one of the longer journeys....


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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
BigV


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Wonderful reflection Raman, thank you .

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It's all about spirituality...
Davethewave


Guru

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I am sorry for your loss. He was what I call part of the 'greatest generation'!

They rarely talked about their past, and always had this special view of what was important in their lives.

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Dave
Raman


Guru

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Yea Dave,,,
a state of non-selfconciousness that earned him all the attention he needed,,,,,een tho he didnt crave for it...

What a lesson in living,,,in the here and now

__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
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