One Person’s Idea Of A Good Time

He was sharing his experience, strength and hope and his gratitude while teaching us a lesson.

This is what I can remember of Rob The Hat’s idea of a good time.

He’d begin by speaking about one well-known restaurant on the South Shore of Long Island. It was a swank place and we’d all heard of it. He tell us that his idea of a good time started when he and his “sobriety” wife were seated by the maitre’d at this restaurant after showing up on time for their reservation.

The staff would then lead them through a five course meal with a “normal” degree of courtesy and respect. The atmosphere was quiet and enjoyable. The food was excellent. I think, as I recall, there was comfortable music being played in the background though I might not recall that precisely.

Once the dessert was completed and they had an opportunity to relax after a fine meal, Rob would pay the tab and he and his wife would leave. Most of us would then think (since the majority of us were newcomers) something along the lines of “so, this is your idea of a good time?” He knew that’s what we’d think and said so.

Then he explained why it was his idea of a good time.

When he was drinking he had become homeless. At one time in his life he had spent nights sleeping behind this restaurant eating out of their Dempster dumpster.

I immediately understood.

There But For The Grace Of God Go I