Anybody go to a class reunion this year?
After I got over the fact that I wasn’t in the wrong room, that these people actually graduated with me, and that I was the only one who had not aged, I had a great time! It was my (ouch) 35th high school reunion and I had not been back since our 20th. Needless to say, things had changed!
People anyway!
I found myself visiting with some very interesting former classmates. We had the usual: several business owners, a couple of doctors, lawyers, nurses, and a handful of teachers. The unique: an airline pilot, an FBI retiree, a rock band member. We even had a classmate in the highly unusual role of being a year-round-Mrs. Santa Claus! (yes, Santa was there too!)
And then there was somebody else.
He was working the room. Shaking hands.
He looked familiar, yet, not quite. In the group I was mingling with, we decided he wasn’t in our Class of ‘74. That maybe he was in a previous class and just knew many of us or was somebody’s husband that we didn’t know. Or maybe he just lived in our hometown, knew people, and decided to show up.
He had a friendly face with a wide smile and an easy laugh.
There was something about him that stood out.
As the night wore on, I eventually saw my husband, from across the room, sharing laughs and what looked like old stories with a former friend. . . the mystery man!
In making my way over, I was surprised to learn that yes, I did know him, and yes, he was in my class! The years had taken their toll and I had not recognized him.
He had lived alot of years “drinkin and druggin” (his words, not mine). He had a history of broken marriages, lost jobs, legal problems. Not exactly the same conversation I had been having with others in the room!
But here’s where the story took a wonderful turn:
Sixteen years of sobriety.
Wow!
He is a residential counselor in a recovery home for men with alcohol/drug problems.
I was humbled. For myself.
I was proud. For him.
I was inspired and motivated and grateful for that moment. To see someone living their passion. And he was passionate!
I saw him as the most inspiring person I talked to that evening. What he had accomplished took guts, persistence, tunnel vision, and incredible strength. He was an honest man. Authentic. Real. Sharing the simple story of his life experiences. To help others. To continue to help himself.
While there were some who might see his life as having a lot of wasted years, I saw something else. The inspiration. The success story. The beauty of a life transformed.
He knows his purpose. He told me so.
Isn’t that what we all are searching for?
Find your purpose. Get passionate about it. Success will follow. There’s no better life!
Peace,
Martha
p.s. For more information about my classmate, Ricky Lutrell, and his work go to: http://aspellrecovery.com
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It is so cool that someone can turn their life around and make a difference in the lives of so many just by one act. And how hard it must have been at first to stay committed to that goal of changing his life. And committed to helping others avoid the hardships he went through. WOW.
~MJ
Yes, a true winner!
My 35th reunion is next year. I’m hoping I will have figured out my passion by then!