Grace

Getting sober
one of the first lessons you learn

early and often
is that not everyone makes it

and its tragic

it never stops being tragic

it never stops being hard

but that's part of the struggle

there's no cure

it requires constant effort

sustained diligence

but above all

the willingness to do

and continue to do

whatever it takes

to stay clean, to stay sober

to remain on the path

and it's not easy

some people are too young to get it

some too old to want to try

some can't imagine a life without using

some are in too much pain to give it up

some go on unconvinced of the inevitable end

unaccepting of the evidence all around them

this is how the disease works

it undermines, it alters, it manipulates

and it is hungry, ravenous

this is the reality and it is heartbreaking

blame or pity have no place in this

only compassion, only grief

and you do your best

and you keep moving forward

and you get through it

and maybe tomorrow is a little bit better than today