Message from Chad A.
Growing up
January 2, 2021Message from Jeremy M.
January 4, 2021| We will never know the full scope of the lives we touch for good. Charlie was the first sponsor I worked a step within NA. This was around 13 years ago, sometime in 2007. When I asked him to sponsor me he asked, “do you believe?” I had no idea what he meant but I said yes. I was just desperate for help and I assumed he wanted me to say yes. Charlie took me to his dad’s house and introduced me to his sister and father. We went over my answers to the questions in the first step. He laughed that Charlie laugh, said “dude your crazy” (followed by the laugh), and tossed out some suggestions and insights. The most important thing he did for me in this was to begin to make me feel a part of something that ultimately would change my life. After this I was deeper in the club, I was “working steps”. Charlie didn’t remain my sponsor, but he did remain my friend. He had many years clean and he was always at meetings. He and Dana were a central hub of social activity for anyone and everyone in NA in the Beaver Valley. I remember when he bought his first Recovery house in Rochester. He and RJ ripped out the carpet and covered the floor in coffee grounds to soak up the smell of the previous owner’s pets. He made the place nice for new guys and people started showing up and staying clean. Just try and imagine the hundreds, maybe thousands of lives this changed for the better. It’s hard to imagine but its certain, Charlie’s life impacted far more for the better than it did for the worse. Whatever happened in the years that followed is not the definition of his life. To me, I will always think of these good things when I think of Charlie. I am sad he had to go but I know the world was bettered by his life. There are many, many, individuals and families that are better today because of Charlie’s contributions and this part of his life will continue to bear fruit for the good long after his passing. He was a pillar of Recovery for so many for a very long time. You will be missed and I hope you’re at peace, my friend! – Chad A. |
