Dear Anonymous,
I have met extraordinary young men in recovery. Men who literally shine in the world as people, employees, sons, fathers,husbands,friends. Men I respect, admire and am proud are in this world, holding it, as I get older and older.
The same men were often in this kind of place. Disenfranchised. Addicted. Overwhelmed. Struggling with self worth. Struggling with sanity. Struggling with who they are. Struggling with what they have lost. Struggling with the daily hustle, mental health and the extreme siren call of heroin, or alcohol, or meth or whatever. The same heart that I see in them now was in them then. Only there was more journey to journey. And each of them carries their own story.
Not going to pretend everyone will experience stunning and dramatic 'recoveries' or even anything we might label 'recovery', but the point is...we don't know. I certainly don't.
Thirsty? Here's water.
Need a coffee? Gotcha' covered.
And this is not necessarily the story of this particular young man. But I can say each day he waits politely until everyone leaves, tries to hustle a second coffee card and when I turn him down with a smile acknowledging his solid attempt, he smiles back. A slightly wicked and sweet smile and says 'Love ya'.'