Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Goin' for a bike ride

I am going to take a quick bike ride before I go to work this morning. It is a beautiful morning, the birds are singing, there are a few pink clouds over the mountains, and it should be a lovely morning for a ride. I am not riding to work because it is supposed to rain later on and never get much warmer than it is now (51 degrees).

I just heard a story on the news about a "recovering alcoholic, convicted of attempted murder" who held police off for 14 hours, then killed himself, a woman, and raped a child. Why? oh Why? is he referred to as a "recovering alcoholic?"

"Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us. We no longer live in a a completely hostile world. We are no longer lost and frightened and purposeless. The moment we catch even a glimpse of God's will, the moment we begin to see truth, justice, and love as the real and eternal things in life, we are no longer deeply distrubed by all the seeming evidence to the contrary that surrounds us in purely human affairs. We know that God lovingly watches over us. We know that when we turn to Him, all will be well with us, here and hereafter." -- Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 105

15 comments:

lushgurl said...

Funny how the Earthlings still view us, as 'recovering alcoholics" huh?
I'm glad you're riding a bike now, that, I CAN do with you LOL. Have a great day, MC, love ya!

dAAve said...

Just for the sake of debate ...
At what point can I no longer be considered "in recovery" if I act on a negative thought or behave in an inappropriate manner?
This question may be more than I can handle. LOL

Mary Christine said...

It wasn't really the question of the guy being "in recovery", it was more a question of why this is relevant.... like would they say a "type II diabetic, convicted of attempted murder"... you know what I mean?

Anonymous said...

Good Grief! I may never be able to let go of society's incredibly lame painting of us all. There was absolutely no need to include that in a story of that type, now, was there?

Not only that but "society" often includes some of our loved ones!

It's something to be grateful for that I recognize, today, that it is my HP's forgiveness I want rather than "theirs."

Ms. V. said...

Really, we are recovered if we've worked the steps. The book only talks in one place of recoverING...with our families.

BTW, how can he be convicted if he's dead?

I usually can't read stuff like this, it just breaks my heart.

Mary Christine said...

I think it was a previous conviction. I just heard this peripherally, while I was sitting at my computer this morning. Maybe someone knows more about the story?

Mary Christine said...

Sorry to belabor this to DEATH, but I found the story online, and here is a brief exerpt...

"Police said they negotiated with Zagarella by telephone for hours and determined he was drunk. They sent a robot to try to get inside, but Zagarella shot at it with the rifle. When police, who also used tear gas, entered the home around 2:50 p.m., Zagarella was already dead.

Police said they weren't sure why he took the family hostage. Zagarella had worked for the ex-husband of the woman who lived in the home in construction, had been convicted of attempted murder and was a recovering alcoholic, police said."

hmmmm. amazing.

Zanejabbers said...

In my case I would be described as a recovering alcoholic and former mental patient still in therapy. But then there is no story in chairing meetings or being of service. ROAD RAGE?.....449, 449,449,449. Enjoy your bike ride.

Scott W said...

I understand what you are saying. It's like when race is referred to when there need be no mention of it.

Shannon said...

yea it is distubing.. In Washington. we had the green river killer, there were several people who knew him in the halls, that i go to.. thank GOD I never met him and it was noted he had like 12 yrs yuk I agree I kinda dont want smething like that attached to aa

anyone on a more positive I love your quote it helped
I am sure you had a good bike ride
hope the rest of your day is groovy

Pammie said...

maybe they were hinting at how sad it was, because he had been in recovery....and yet here he was, drunk and causing havoc.

Clarity said...

Maybe they should have said he was a dry drunk as opposed to a sober alcoholic. Or is it all greek to the normies anyway? Anyway, I know what your saying, it's like when people say, "A woman doctor" a "woman pilot".

Mike said...

MC,

I made it back, and am home by Wednesday, now I need to know why that mattered..

Mike

lash505 said...

wow you have a green thumb and Don's Won..check out belmar.

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work.