Today 4 years ago I wasn`t counting days for a blog, but I was counting days. On this day 4 years ago I had 116 days of sobriety. It had taken me many unsuccessful attempt to accomplish this.
My 42 year old friend Karen attempted to join me in this undertaking, but just decided that the time wasn`t right. Oh, how I wish she had succeeded.
I first met Karen when she walked into my Curves franchise and joined the exercise program. From that very moment, it was as if I had known her forever. With her excitement for life she ignited the room. We soon started walking together as I was in training for a 39 mile Avon Breast Cancer Walk. Our friendship blossomed quickly as we walked and shared our life stories.
Karen was excited as she told me of a project that she wanted me to work on with her. As a fundraiser the town of Elkton, MD had an event to paint and decorate bigger than life sized elks, display them in the town, then after a year sell them at auction
She had to submit our plans and wait to see if the design was chosen. Sure enough, Lei Lei was selected and we began the job of painting and decorating this whimsical elk. After weeks of work the big day arrived, the unveiling of the selected artist and their master pieces.
Karen was so excited as Lei Lei was unveiled, we both posed in front of this huge elk for pictures. Of course, it was now the time to celebrate. The five of us went to a local bar. I continued my sobriety, but did confess to Karen that this was the time that I would really like to have a drink. She firmly placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "don`t you dare you`re doing too good"!
I listen to Karen`s advice, however I soon felt great concern for Karen. She was drinking her mixed drinks down pretty fast. Karen was not slurring her words and outwardly appeared to be fine....but I knew what she had consumed in a short period of time. As we prepared to leave I asked if she was alright to drive; she assured me that she was fine and if she wasn`t she`d leave her car and ride home with her friend.
One hour after I left her side, Karen was killed one mile from her home in a single car accident. Karen`s death has had a profound effect on my life. Many times I have witnessed to others as they struggle with addictions. God has taken this tragic event and used it for good. Today I celebrate 4 and a quarter years of sobriety, many times I have felt Karen`s hand on my left shoulder and heard her voice, "don`t you dare, you`re doing too good!" God certainly gave me the gift of a true friend, if only for a short season.
I truly thank God for the love, friendship and support that I have received from my God given friend, KAREN PORTER. I pray that someday Karen will be up front in the celestial welcoming team as I arrive in Heaven!
2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
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