I just got a Facebook notification that today was our founder John F.'s birthday. I'm not sure how old he would have been today, but I know he was close to my age (55) when he passed last Spring. When I think of OP_Present (John's nickname on MIP) and the awe that I had of him when I first came on MIP back in 2003, and all the wondrous things that I learned that he did for the AA program and this site, I am still amazed at his legacy. After  I had been on the site a few months and got more involved in service work and actually got a chance to talk to John on the phone and become involved with the workings of MIP as a room moderator and eventually a SuperOP, I gained even more respect for the man. I came just short of meeting him face to face when I moved to South Carolina, only a few hours away from where he lived in N.C. I am saddened to say he passed before I got that chance. 

As a tribute to John, I thought it might be nice for those of us who knew him best to share a short memory that we have of him. Happy Birthday in Heaven John!! I'm sure you are getting everything organized for us program people when we arrive we can all sit down and have a cup of heavenly coffee together!!

Overcome (now known as Overcomer in chat) 

Ok, I'll start...

My first experience with John was in the Al-anon room and he came in as OP_Present. Someone (forget who it was at the time) said that is JOHN!!! And I'm like, "Who is John?" And the person said, why none other than the owner and operator of this site!! I was in Awe!! And then the next memory I have of him was the first time he shared after sitting and listening and not sharing for quite some time. I think there were quite a few meetings I attended between the first time I saw him in the room, and the first time he shared. I remember thinking it was like "G_d" sharing. LOL Over the years John came down off the pedestal I had put him on, and he became more of a "REAL" person to me. We fought, we laughed, we shared memories. He personally helped me become a room operator, showed me the ropes, and more than once, showed me how to register my nick and download the scripts. He was infinitely patient, and explosive at the same time. John was a survivor and my mentor.. and even though he did not survive his COPD, he survives in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him. 

Love you John, now and forever... you are missed.

Lisa (Overcomer)

Happy Birthday John, I miss your wisdom and humor

I met John once, near a pier in North Carolina. What I am about to say might not fit- but i shall try. John was just one of many who struggled with addiction and wanted something better for the world. And for himself. He set up the MIP board single handed and got each group up and running. The Alanon board is far and away the most active board.

It says a lot that we have banded together and kept the groups running. I gleaned John's personal story. [I need to know these things!] He had a son and for this he needed a miracle- to have a sense of family and belonging...

...just recently John's son James has taken over the family business. If I can read between the lines I can see that his life is changing and turning. Just a possibility.

Reading all these posts and sharing, overall can be daunting. It just seems so bad, so fraught!

But inside all of this there is a kernel of hope. Sometimes not for our own lives, but for the next generation, and the next...

and for each other, and ourselves.

We band together... we seek solutions together...

This madness and pain that we have to go through must have a point. No-one knows but each one of us- what this is like! How bad can bad be?

But somehow this southern dude has blazed a trail for us. John F.

Thanks M8!

I know.I told John.before he died what a success be was.   Some people in.recovery achieve great things 

I am sorry that he was taken from the world so.soon.  His.sense.of.responsibility in making sure his legacy continued was also impressive.  After all he was dealing with a.terminal illness. 

I will always remember his compassion.and.tenderness for those who.still suffer. 

Every year he developed a tradition of having members of.MIP send.Christmas cards to those residents in his recovery homes.  What a wonderful generous idea to remind.those struggling in recovery that they are not alone. 

We were truly blessed with.his vision.and.passion.for.MIP.  

Maresie

I miss John too. The no "BS" guy. Happy Birthday to you. linsc

I like the "no bs" description also.  John you're listening so enjoy the gratitude from the family.  I loved your spirit and will always.  (((Hugs)))

When you can as you can.  We have recovery family friends; a mother and son from a family history  with alcoholism.  I knew of them from the near neighborhood on Oahu and their insanity paralleled mine.  Dear God.  Her husband got sober by suicide which solution she just recently attempted and was reunited with us.  Her son knows what sobriety tastes like right along with multiple relapses...one of which he is trying to survive now while she is trying to survive he own depression and insanity.  They are super glued together in this "Family Disease".  I just got off the phone with her and she is not good at sounding brave.  She verbally nods to the program and it's lessons and then it is only a nod.  My wife and I and others are standing by with support and if you all have extra prayerful conversations with your HPs and the time to let them fly down here We will package those with ours and hope for the best.    Mahalo Piha....Thanks forever.   (((())))

This message is from Temple, who cannot post to the board. 

"I have such lovely memories of John:  How intelligent he was, how much he loved his darling fur babies, how compassionate he was, how lovely the sound of his voice was to my ears, and what a gifted story-teller and speaker he was.  When he was on the board, it was if the whole place was "lifted."  

Bless you, Overcome, for starting the thread.  And David, for posting for me.

Blessings, Temple"