YOUNG AT HEART

TIME TAKES TIME

I drive an old truck--1999 Mazda.  It runs perfectly with a low mileage due to the fact that I LOVE riding my bike.

Last week, after 60,000 miles on original dry-rotted tires, slightly sluggish braking, and a "whirring" alternator...I took my truck to the emergency room.   $1,200 later, my truck is young again, and dependable as well.

I live in an old body--1933 male.  The body purrs along quite well, considering very high mileage due to 25-year heavy alcohol and drug misuse--abuse, really.  Also, I consider now-in-remission prostate cancer of 4 years ago, frivolous life-style of many of my 76 years, two heart attacks before age 35 (none since), various other physical problems along the way, factors which should have made me dead long ago--I almost was.

After 76,000 miles on original feet, sluggish braking system, and that "whirring" alternator, I am taking stock of what has happened to fix the problems.  Of course some doctoring, tests galore, surgeries, medication, meditation and radiation, helped to keep this engine running.  But to get it purring took an outside force, powerful help from the Spiritually Highest Power transmitted through Peeps called "we" in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Outside of a frequent daily nap, I feel younger, more alive, and happier than at any time in my entire life.

Each year during the month of March I reflect on the place where my life used to be, where it is today,  the successes and the failings.  Also what happened, and how.  (I know "why"--grin!) This month I will celebrate my 36th anniversary of being sober.  March 18th, 1974, a few minutes before midnight I had my last drink of alcohol.  The next evening I was driven to my first AA meeting.  About two weeks from now, after ruminating what to reveal and what to withhold, I shall write some more.

For now, I want to explain how I got to be age 76 and sober for 36 years.  It's  simple.  I did not drink...and I did not die.

Love and Peace to you all, Peeps!