Brad’s first free weekend off blackout was spent like this. Friday night, he went as an accountability partner with another guy, also on his first weekend off, to his family cookout. They ate well and Brad enjoyed talking with Eric’s family.
Saturday morning, Brad went jogging in the city and had a great talk with another guy he met while jogging. He attended another Program guy’s surprise 40th birthday party in Patterson Park – a sober cookout, Brad called it – complete with a great food, a football game and good music. Brad was really moved seeing all the love and happiness Bill experienced at his party.
Sunday, Brand joined Eric and his sons for a visit to the Inner Harbor and Federal Hill. He described in glowing terms his own emotions as he watched Eric and his sons reconnect – and by the end of the day, he was even “Uncle Brad.”
When he arrived at Helping Up Mission, Brad as ready for some changes. In his 45 days of blackout here, he opened his heart and started feeling things again. Interestingly, his first weekend free to go out and do what he wanted to do was, instead, spent sharing in the lives of others he knows and appreciates.
“I wouldn’t trade this first weekend free for anything in this world,” he said, “and it’s not about being off blackout.”
One Day at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director