http://slow.writerscafe.org/Peggy%20G The original writings of author Peggy Gildon en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776033774 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15       Time went on and family forgives or at least tries to.  Patrick finally got another job haulingcars.  He was proud, so he called me.  "Patrick," I said, I was in courtand they said your court date is set for November 4, you better go t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/752211/      It took me awhile but I did get copies of the arrest report, the whole dealwent down on Patrick's side of the wrecker. Patrick did get out on his own recognizance three days later, because itwas his first offense.  I picked him upoutside the jail.  "I suppo.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/752200/   One of his new friends didn't have any place to go, so right away Mikewanted to help him.  Mike wasn'tconcentrating on his recovery, he was worried about his friend.    "Call the Salvation Army." I said.  "They'll give him aplace to stay.".. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/752192/ Mike called that evening.  "I'm feeling all right now, I'm sorryfor what I put you through.  I wish Icould be normal"  He stammered.      He told me a little about the place, he had a hospital bed, slippers,pajamas.  They had him on that drug.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/752143/      His dad left and went back to work, Mike, Amy and I cried. I told him,all you have to do is tell your dad you don't want to go, he won't make yougo.      Mike said, "No, I'll go stay at grandmas, something has to change."  He cleaned o.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/752142/      I ran in the house yelling for Amy, no answer, oh s**t, she's down thestreet, I grabbed my keys and off I went, he wasn't getting away thistime.  I pulled out about two minutes behind him, but I knew right whereto go.  I passed Amy, I was so intent oncatchin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/751499/     Nine months had passed since Mike said he could stop doing this drugwhenever he wanted.  Actually though hehad this monkey on his back for at least two years.      He had been smoking marijuana since he was thirteen.  Now he realized it.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/751486/ InMid-February we went to Disney, Mike had to get permission from his counselor, andhe did, we had a great time.  Mike washappy!  He drank a lot of beer,"We're on vacation, aren't we?" he remarked.     Mike and Amy went on rides together. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/751464/ Amy's school had a winter pageant,the children in each grade put on a wonderful show, and they sang Christmascarols and religious hymns. This wasanother program where I was the only family member in attendance. Big Mike said he would meet me there, butthe car he was driving, our sp.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/751140/ November came and Mike disappeared,thirty days clean, and nowhere to be found! I beeped him! It was the night before Amy's tenth birthday, he had to bein drivers school ten a.m. the next morning. He didn't call.  I beeped 911, Ilove you (143), and I beeped my code, thinking .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/751065/ When we got to court our attorneywasn't there, so we sat and listened to the drug court counselor explain theprogram.  We listened to the publicdefenders telling their clients how the program worked.      It was all very simple; you go to the center every da.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/751056/ In September on Labor Day weekend wegot the call.  At three a.m. the phonerang.      "Mom I'm in jail," Mike stammered.      I called out to Big Mike.     Pleading, Mike begged, "No, mom, don't tell dad!.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/750511/      We had to lay Patrick off because he couldn't keep his mind on hiswork.  He wouldn't take care of histruck; he couldn't be bothered with the time it would take for an oilchange.  He rarely checked his fluidlevels or did his pre-trip inspection. He was obs.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/750302/ During the course of the last yearmy brother Patrick had asked me to help him get his familystraight.  Patrick worked for us, he wasan over the road truck driver, his take home pay was around one thousanddollars a week, and he couldn't keep up. They were always two or th.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/749911/ We exitedthe freeway and followed the directions to Turning Point.  It was a nicely fenced complex, inside asquare city block; all the buildings were beige with green trim.  It had two dorms, a multipurpose room, anadministration building, and a laundry room. A nice shaded yar.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/749908/      ADDICTION: a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance;also persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to beharmful.  This definition is found inWebster's dictionary. Drug Abuse destroys more lives thana.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/749900/ A story of how addiction brought our family to it's knees. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/749896/ A tribute to Richard the Founder of First Step who was robbed and shot dead 1/27/08 outside his office as others watched. He had a dream that cost him his life. One addict at a time his dream continue http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/749373/ A Place called first step is a sober house program for addict or alcoholic who truly wants to get clean. They have houses all over Broward county, Florida and they work very closely with the courts. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/749364/  I’ll just have one; I thoughtabout it all day longI can do only one; all thosepeople they’re wrongI’ll control it this time, forweeks I’ve been goodI just want to take the edge offlike a normal person wouldI’ll tell them I need to g.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/747893/      ILISTENED TO EACH PERSON IN THE ROOM SHARE THEIR LIFE STORY EACH ONE STRUGGLED THROUGH DRUG USE TO DISCOVER NO GUTSNO GLORY  AS NEWCOMERS WE SAT THERE NUMB, OUR SPIRITS BEAT ANDBROKEN WE SAID .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/747891/  Recoveryhas given me hope of a life filled with smilesWherehappiness triumphs over the tribulations and trials NowI look and I can see that God has plans for meAndchallenges can be faced; they can’t bring me to my knees Recoveryhas give.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/747889/  I’m lost in my addiction and life is just a fantasyI chase a high to feel no pain, no dealing with reality  I go with the devil wherever he leadsHe takes care of me, he satisfies my needs  Together we feed my addiction and watch.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/747882/ My dad asked me to write him a poem years ago for Fathers day and I struggled with it because my parents had divorced when I was four. With my sisters help we put together a poem that year 1986 http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/745587/ To all the young adults who dare to try something "new", "different", "dangerous"! Remember it can happen to you, it HAS happened to others, and you are NOT replaceable. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/744683/  Todayis a gift take time to laugh and smileAllaround you is beauty; reflect on that for a while Theflowers, the blue sky, the lakes and the treesThemountains, the rivers, the ocean, a breeze Thefamily, the knowledge, the birds, squirrels, and.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/743922/ Recovery is possible and life changing! It's wonderful! http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/743914/         Childrenlearn so much so fast it's hard to comprehendHow many timesthey've laughed or cried when the day comes to an end Howmany times their little hearts were mended with a kissHowm.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/742465/ We all need to take life one day at a time. Stop and smell the roses. Observe what is going on around you. ENJOY YOUR LIFE! http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/742449/  Sitback and observe I’m prepared to beginThisis my life to live and I’m gonna win Youcan taunt me and tempt me but I’ll fight all the wayIhave faith and my family and together we’ll pray Ihave the strength and desire t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/742441/ Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, that's why we call today the present. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/742435/ When you decide to come out of the darkness and begin tohealYou’ll find the pain that you thought was your life wasn’trealYour happiness your joy will triple in sizeYou’ll feel exhilarated and you will be quite surprisedAs bad as it gets and I’m not go.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/742432/     WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER DID YOU HAVE A DREAMOF HOW YOUR LIFE WOULD TURN OUT IN LIFES GREAT SCHEME DID YOU BUILD ON YOUR DREAM FOLLOW YOUR INTUITIONDID YOU BRING THE PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE TO FRUITION DID YOU HIT MANY DETOURS ALONG THE ROADDID YOU GET R.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Peggy-G/742427/