Hope Served Daily

So, today I celebrate 90 days of sobriety from methamphetamine. While in the depths of my addiction, I have spent numerous times as a member of the “unhoused community” in my hometown of Placerville. There have been many people and organizations that I can thank for my survival and eventual road to recovery, but few as deeply as the Upper Room Dining Hall, and my personal angel on Earth, Miss Karen.

 

While living in the darkest of times, amongst my fellow “invisible and forgotten” humans in homelessness, one light in the darkness of addiction and isolation always was the Upper Room. On my worst days, I knew I could go there and receive genuine human compassion, along with a delicious hot meal. For those of you who have not had the experience of living on the street, human compassion is a much rarer commodity than dinner, so it was a much more gratitude inducing gift. Don’t get me wrong, food was great. But, to be looked at in the eye, instead of looked THROUGH, meant so much more. I was so moved by the fact that Karen actually got to know each and every one of our names, and a bit about each of us as individuals, because that is something that many of us in the homeless community don’t see anywhere else. Karen, and all of the volunteers at the Upper Room are amongst the best humanity has to offer, because they actually posses HUMANITY.

 

Through the tireless service and hard work and dedication of Karen and all the volunteers, we were offered a warm meal every single day, mobile showers and laundry service regularly, and most importantly, a healthy dose of self worth. Most of us out there don’t feel like we are worthy of more than we live in, but the Upper Room helps to remind us that we are all worthy. Which in turn offers some of us the motivation to step up and get our lives back on track.

 

I am grateful for my sobriety. And, just as soon as I am able to, I will make the Upper Room an integral part of my “paying it forward” action based plan of continuing sobriety, in addition to helping sponsor other addicts and alcoholics with their 12 step work. Thank you Karen, the volunteers and anyone who has contributed time, money or supplies to the Upper Room. Your help really does make a difference.