Rescue and Recovery

With the slow, groaning thunder of splintering wood and shearing metal, the ship struck ground on the rocks. With a final shudder, it listed about 45 degrees and came to rest. The crew that hadn't fallen into the sea jumped in, lest the heavy weight of the broken hull give way and swallow them or crush them.

The miracle to be known later was that no hands were lost - though many were battered and bruised. And if it were not apparent then, it would become known that a crew who'd weathered such a storm - and ultimate wreck - together, would remain a crew in spirit forever.

And so it was that a new ship would sail, with a crew seasoned by water and fire - ready to take on whatever new adventures beckoned on the horizon. The open seas would know the steadfast hope of sailors undaunted by calamity.

The voyage begins again...


To all my friends and colleagues, and especially to those of you who loved me when I could not love myself.

It is with humility, love, and joy that I make my first post to this blog since January of 2009 (somewhat amazed that it's still here (blog) and that I've been able to recall/regain my access to it).

I want to thank all of you who have been regular readers here, as well as the friends and colleagues who have helped me, for your patience and kindness, both before and during my long absence while I've been gaining recovery from my alcoholism.

I owe many of you significant amends - not least for my vanishing from and dismissal of your care and concern. This post can hardly be sufficient to the making of such amends. Within the next few months, I'm hopeful that I can talk with many of you (those who wish) more directly. I am doing very well in my my recovery program, and have great hope for a bright future in sobriety. This post is meant to re-open contact with those of you who wish to be in touch.

I am, at this writing, a beneficiary of The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in Oakland, California. I have been in this residential treatment program for just over 7 months (entered on 1/16/09) - a graduate of their 6-month recovery program (7/19/09), now one month into their optional "Phase II" Life-Skills/Reentry program (90 days). I am writing this from my sister's home - I am on a 48 hour pass from the program for a visit to same.

I will not likely have the opportunity to post here again for at least several weeks. As a beneficiary, I am quite limited in terms of communication (a good program design, really - allowing focus on recovery) - though I do now have limited access to e-mail at:

pschneiderarc@live.com

Readers who wish to are welcome to contact me there.

I have missed all of you very much. One of my personal projects (as I have/had time) has been writing about the process I've gone through in my addiction and recovery at the ARC. My long-range goal is to compile this into a book. As I'm able, I'll post some of that material here as well. Eventually, this blog will take on a new look and "feel" - as it reflects the the history of my recovery, and the positive changes that have taken place in me.

Yours in gratitude,
Paul S
(AKA: LifeWrecked - in recovery)