Dear Hope Nation,
[Read on for a fairly exciting announcement. Those of you who know me know I often bury the lead. After a Family Circus-like traipse around the neighborhood, I eventually end up with a payoff. This is that.]
I’ve known for a long time I’m the luckiest man in the world, living and thriving by grace and good fortune alone. More proof came this week–I’ve gone to two in-person, three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood recovery meetings. As some of you know, I keep most of my personal recovery in Nashua for a whole bunch of reasons, so both these meetings were there, outside in chairs practicing social distancing. It was like eating steak after a Zoom diet of Soylent, that meal replacement product that provides all the Protein, carbohydrates, lipids, and micronutrients the body needs to survive, without the pleasure of eating. (Please do not confuse this product with Soylent Green, which is people.)
The joy of in-person meetings inspired me to organize what we’re calling Pop-Up Recovery—outdoor meetings around the city for folks in recovery to reconnect, share and strengthen their recovery and enjoy the outdoors. The first of these will be next week:
Tuesday, May 19, 11-12
Derryfield Park (Directions below) Manchester
This first will be an all-recovery meeting. Please feel free to bring a lunch, if you’d like (or you can hold off and join other members and the Hope staff for a virtual lunch from 12:30-1:30–https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87953399448). Because of the state regulations in place, we need to keep groups to 10 or fewer, which should be easy enough. We’ll simply break off and form a new group once we get to eight or nine folks. Although Hope can’t enforce regulations, I am asking that folks practice social distancing while we’re gathered together. It really will be fun.
We’ll have topics to discuss, but I suspect each of you has enough pent-up demand to talk to real people about recovery, about Covid-19, and about the future. Bring your thoughts, a folding chair or blanket and a positive attitude.
Oh, yes, one more thing. I know a number of folks may have had reoccurences (relapses) during this time. Please, please, please don’t let this keep you from coming. You’re in recovery when you say you are, and letting shame or remorse keep you from doing something healthy is doubly, triply, quadruply self-defeating.
You matter. I matter. We matter.
Keith
Directions: we’ll meet by the gazebo at Derryfield Park, which is at 492 Bridge Street, a little more than a mile from Elm Street and a little less than a mile-and-a-half from Hope. If you get lost, or need more directions, call me (603-361-6266) and I’ll guide you in.