The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
RLC and I had a special relationship that all the miles between us couldn't dampen at all. One day recently he sent me the following PM and I truly think it reflects clearly the kind of man he was.
John, I hope you are doing well.....and taking care of yourself......mainly staying off ladders would be a good start !!
Beside being in the wholesale business I have set up at a flea market every Sunday for the past 20 years (1,200 dealers)....Yeah, that makes me a 7 day a week person (HP understands/we've talked about it). That's where I always get the socks and coffee for your men. I have a lot of other dealers who over the years have become friends. One in particular is a man also named John who by the way has his 19 year chip in AA. Great guy. His wife is a double winner and attends Al-Anon, not in my town. They have a son 30 who is on pills in a big way, so the three of us enjoy talking and sharing for a few minutes every Sunday.
Anyway John sells shoes, name brands, in a big way. We take care of each other either giving the other what we sell at our cost or just giving no charge. I haven't bought a pair of shoes or tennis shoes real market in 20 years because I can get Nike etc. from John for $5 to $10. Today the had Timberland boots and shoes selling them for $45 a pair (they retail $100 plus). I picked out two pair and no matter how hard I tried he would't let me pay him. I tried to give him $50 for the two pair but no way. He told me "God has been good to him, now get the hell out of my booth Rodney and take your money with you." LOL. He knows I send things to you and I have told him about you and your men. As I was leaving his booth I told him I was going to get even with him. I left his booth and went to another friend and bought 11 pound of coffee and a few pair of socks (all the man had) then proceeded back to John's booth to show him what I purchased with the $50 he wouldn't take from me. I told John I was "paying in forward"...sending the coffee and socks to my other friend John in N.C. John smiled at me, shook his head and said, "See Rodney I did get something for my shoes after all, you turned my shoes into coffee and socks to help another one of my brothers in the program who also goes by the wonderful name John".......He's a good dude.
I'll send the coffee and sock this week. Just thought you would find the story interesting.
Thanks for sharing the PM from RLC. It reflects his humor, consideration & generous heart.
I was wondering if your recovery houses are for men only. Do you have homes for women, too?
I got your mailing address from a post on the AA Forum and jotted it down in one of my Al-Anon books. I hope to use it in the future if I run across bargains
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You have to go through the darkness to truly know the light. Lama Surya Das
Resentment is like taking poison & waiting for the other person to die. Malachy McCourt
I miss RLC's Charlie Brown Avatar. What a joy it was to see it on the board this morning. Thank you for sharing his post with the forum. It is funny each day I get a sneek peek of RLC. It is as though he is still here in full color.
We had someone special die on the AA board just recently also. It's odd timing and has had me thinking about the positive footprints we leave in life....even on a message board like here. Footprints that stay there after we have walked our path...
Yep, RLC was a one in a million guy. He reached out and connected with me when I was a newcomer here. When he realized I had no access to alanon meetings or literature he sent me alanon books all the way to Guatemala. We PMed and emailed several times a week. He had such a big heart and was so good to so many. I found myself questioning HP for taking such a good and generous man away from the people who benefitted so from his compassion and generosity. But I'm a mere mortal and cannot understand all of HP's doings. I'm just very grateful to have known Rodney and had his friendship while he was still among us. Thank you for this share John-