Hello, I Must Be Going

By Jim Gillen

In the land of recovery, as in life, change is inevitable. Sometimes 
change is hard, scary, the unknown. Even worse, the projection of 
change, of the future can drive one up the wall. 
When folks come up to the door of recovery, whatever brings them to that 
door, the fear of change, of a monumental, seemingly impossible hill to 
climb can be quite daunting. 
When I think back, since childhood I was putting a huge amount of effort into 
taking the “easy” way out, or so it seemed. 
It always seems to come back to fear. Projection of a future not yet 
here, is just that … well it’s not here, yet Fear plays a big role.

We think, “How am I going to fix this, get that done? Why can’t it be how 
it was?” It is hard but familiar. And that can keep us stuck in 
neutral… or reverse! 
Life is funny that way…change happens. I’ve found that the best way to 
face change is to go with it. 
What’s any of this got to do with recovery? It’s all recovery. It’s a way 
of life. It’s change.

Hello: Over the past year, my life has seen some changes. Good ones to 
be sure, just different. As I write this, I am waiting for my third 
grandchild to be born, most any day now. One will be a year old in 
August and one born in April… 
What will this new one be like? We know the gender and the name. But 
what will he be like? How will he feel about change? Hmmm, I wonder.

I Must be Going:  Do you know Sharon Morello? If you or someone you know 
has been in any way involved with the Providence Center over these past 
years, chances are she had a hand in it. 
Sharon is moving on to a new adventure. I’ve always known her to have 
the wandering spirit; In search of a new challenge. 
For me it’s sad. I’ve have greatly been encouraged by her, learned from 
her. Occasionally witnessed her “warrior spirit” as well!! 
We wish her all the best on the new road.  Speaking for many, we will 
miss you and hope to see you down the trail, Change…

It happens.

Don’t forget to come out to Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza on Tuesday 
September 14th at 11:30am and party down with the Recovery All Stars Band.