OK, so here's a little story to share with you all. As most of you know I am a recovered alcoholic and drug addict. Now before all of my recovery friends have a holy ba- jesus fit on me let me just clarify my use of the past tense by saying that the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous tells me that I have recoverED from a hopeless state of mind and body. It also says - and I may paraphrase this - that my sobriety is based on my daily spiritual conditioning. So in other words I'm not what I used to be but if I don't pray for some strength each day I could easily be back where I was... OK? OK !
So, I'm driving to work the other night where I am an admissions counselor at the same facility where I was treated almost 4 years ago. I have about a 15 minute drive to work each night. Sometimes faster depending if I leave on time or not. I usually talk to Cheryl or listen to some music. The drive into Father Martin's Ashley is a beautiful drive especially during the day but when I go to work it is quite dark. Still there is a peacefulness and calmness as I drive down Oakington Road and make the left onto Tydings Lane and travel up the long driveway to the facility. I usually put on some inspiring music. Maybe something deep that captures the eery night sky with a full moon over the bay or possibly just something that takes me back to 2008 when I came to treatment. Often I just have my mp3 on shuffle and inevitably something of profound meaning comes on as I am getting close to work. And so it was the other night...
As I was coming down Oakington I was getting ready to reach for my mp3 to pick something out for the final 3 miles or so and before I had a chance to choose something the mp3 started playing "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton. Well, I paused for a second and considered changing it before I burst out laughing realizing that this was the perfect song for the evening. A substance that I struggled with for many years was being tossed out in a song as a reminder of where I came from. As I dove into work I couldn't stop laughing and felt a great sense of gratitude for where I am today. My higher power, whom I choose to call God, certainly does have a great sense of humor. I sang along with the song with no fear of the past and laughed as I remembered some of the crazy times. It's part of the mosaic that is my life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And yet there is a beauty in all of it because it's human. So the next time you hear the song "Cocaine" by EC maybe you to will laugh as you remember this funny little story.
Rob ~
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Springtime Update 2012
I can't believe that we are fast approaching May of 2012. Only a couple more weeks left in the spring semester and then a short break before the busy summer kicks in. Although I like to treasure every moment in time these days I am rather looking forward to this summer. And it seems as if it's going to get better as it goes along.
I'll be taken a couple classes this summer as I really can't afford not to. It's hard for me to keep anything close to a full load of classes each semester so I really need to attend year round. I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to do that. Community college is really a great thing for so many reasons but in particular for the adult student who is attempting to get back in the swing of learning when they've been out of the environment for so long. On the plate this summer will be a continuation of my basic math classes as well as a speech class. The speech class is a "hybrid" class which is part online and part in class. Looking forward to both classes.
In June I will be performing and giving a clinic on rudimental snare drumming at the Lancaster County Bible College.The name of the event is "Total Percussion Seminar". A couple of my former students are very involved with this event and I'm excited to be participating. I will place special emphasis on snare drum soloing. As many of you know I was very involved in the drum corps activity throughout my life and had some success in snare soloing back in my younger days. After some time away, to focus on other things, I have recommitted myself to playing and participating in some events that will allow me to share my passion for something that meant so much to me for so long. I also have plans on a few other appearances throughout the summer which I think will provide some fun for all.
In early August Cheryl and I will be taking a well needed vacation to the Beach in Ocean City, MD. We both really enjoy the beach and the water and just the whole atmosphere of summertime shore resort. The boardwalk, all the fun shops and the very 'unhealthy' food will be just the right combination of goods to make for a wonderful time off from everyday life. Really looking forward to this.
Following my beach vacation I am planning on attending the DCA Championships in Annapolis, MD over the Labor Day weekend. I figured since this event was so close to home this year that I should really go. My father and I are both members of the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame and so we will attend the HOF banquet for the first time since we both became members. The last time I attended the DCA championships was in 2007 in Rochester, NY. It was the year I was inducted into the HOF and it was a memorable weekend. A lot has happened since then and so I am looking forward to seeing friends that I haven't seen in a while.
Well that's my report for now. As I always say I wish I could get myself to blog more often but with my schedule of work, school and other daily or weekly events it becomes hard to find time and motivation to write. Anyway, I hope you're all doing good and I wish you all a happy spring/summer of 2012. I'll be hanging around facebook and the other social apps so look me up and lets stay in touch.
Rob ~
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