We were walking home from the local cafe when we saw a group of our friends standing across the street and decided to cross the street to greet them.
Two people were standing a bit aloof from the rest, when all of a sudden a voice beside us brought them to our attention. I am sure that the shock on our faces must have been something to behold, but nothing compared to the joy that erupted in our hearts as it dawned on us who we were looking at. They had told us they were going away for treatment, and now, months later, they were home.
K* and LS* completed three months of treatment together in another state. They have returned home, are doing great and are expecting their second child. I took a picture of them and, though you cannot see them clearly, let me describe what you cannot see. Their faces are calm, their eyes are clear and they reflect a pride and calm happiness that is new. They stood upright for this picture, had their heads up and were genuinely happy that we wanted to take their picture.
After plenty of hugs, laughter and questions about when they got back, their faces and voices took on a serious tone. “Everything has changed, yet nothing has changed.”
Their counselors had prepared them with good tools for this moment, yet we saw in their eyes that the dawning of this truth was a sad reality. They asked if we were still giving out noodles and when we said yes, they looked relieved and asked if they could come over and get some. I don’t think the noodles were as much of a draw, but it was more so a way of escape from their former drinking partners. How hard it must be for them to turn away from them and walk a different road.
They walked with us a block to our home, and we invited them to come in and sit down. They shared with us for the next 45 minutes about the months-long journey to sobriety they had just taken, some of the backstory of the trauma they had endured as children, why they had turned to alcohol in the first place, their desire to find work and that they are expecting their second child in four months. Their firstborn son, who is not with them, is their motivation to remain sober. Their determined goal is to be the parents to their own children that neither of them had.
It was wonderful to sit and visit with them. Upon leaving, they both expressed how happy they were that they had come in and we could talk together. We were happy too, thrilled!
Please continue to pray for K and LS, their son and their new baby coming. Pray for them to gain employment and that their feet will remain firmly planted on the new path they have chosen. They will need the constant protection of heaven.
* names changed for anonymity.
