I was invited by my friend C. to attend a luncheon today to benefit a charity organization that supports people in our city who struggle with addiction. I don’t even think I have the words to convey all of the feelings that I felt today, and I’m so glad I went (even though that meant I ended up working late to make up for the time I took out of the middle of the day).
First of all, it was held at [my city’s] Country Club, and I always feel fancy when I go to anything at any country club. I’d never been there before, and it was just a beautiful place with a gorgeous golf course that features a stunning view out over a sort of canyon/rocky area. I was also happy to be able to (A) get dressed up a little bit - something I love to do, and (B) be among a large group of people - something I’ve been missing a lot.
Next, the people who attended were the most eclectic mix of philanthropic supporters, business people, regular citizens, volunteers, and recovering addicts. The vibe was so freaking celebratory and you could tell that every person in the room was both thrilled and honored to be there. I’d say there were probably 400 people in attendance, and of course, C. had me sitting at the table front and center!
Then the speakers! Oh my gosh, each one of them had stories more gut-wrenching…and chilling (!) than the next. And you would NEVER know that ANY of these people are recovering addicts who’ve been in serious trouble, because they are now absolute pillars of the community.
One lady was busted as part of a drug “ring” - to feed her addiction, she’d partnered with a local physician who was writing prescriptions for drugs (I’m assuming opioids), and she’d go out in the streets and trade the prescriptions for meth!
The keynote speaker was a professor, dean, and chair of many organizations on opioid addictions, and is also a recovering addict. She and her husband were using when their daughter was born. Shortly after moving to [this city] from NYC with their young daughter, her husband went off the deep end and died on the streets. She told the story of not only picking herself up from that, but also being a breast cancer survivor, only for her cancer to come back recently, a full decade later, as metastatic and she’s currently fighting Stage 4 like a fucking CHAMP. She wore sequins head to toe and practically danced on that stage. I’ve never seen someone sparkle more from the inside all the way outward!
I sat at that table and quietly let the tears roll down my cheeks. My friend Michael (a recovering addict himself) was sitting across from me. He saw me and gave me a little knowing smile.
It was an incredibly moving event for me, and after I got back to my desk this afternoon (which was really a table outside of a coffee shop), I found the email address of the person who heads up volunteer opportunities with this organization to see if maybe I could help in some small (or even more than small?) way. It would be great if I could somehow add this to my list of monthly volunteer projects (which reminds me that I’ll be squeaking in my May volunteer project this Saturday morning, making meals for people in need…excited about that one too!).
Anyway. I’m so honored that C. invited me to that event. For a big ol’ goofball sometimes, that guy is truly an angel (plus he made the largest donation of the day during the auction, of course).
It’s been a good day.
xo,
GS
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