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Get high on life

Harold Keller / L’Observateur / August 18, 1999

For the past five and one-half years, my wife and I have been privileged to speak at Fontainbleu Treatment Center, which is a rehabilitation center for alcohol and drug abusers. It’s a 28-day program and, in my opinion, oneof the best centers anywhere.

Every Saturday, I give the clients who are being discharged within the week a chance to share with the group. A young man who was a little tooshy to talk, but wanted to express himself, wrote the following and asked me to read it to the group: “When I first came to Fontainbleu Treatment Center, I didn’t like it at all because I brought my attitude with me – my street attitude. It seemed likeI looked for something to make me mad. I figured if I got mad enough, Iwould leave.

Then Saturday night came around and guess what happened! Mr. and Mrs.Keller came and I introduced myself to him. He gave me a hug. Then hestarted talking and I started to listen for the first time in a long time. Hewas funny, but he made a lot of sense. It made me feel good to hearsomeone talk who knew what he was talking about. So the next day, Idecided to go to church and that also made me feel good.

Later, something happened here at the treatment center that made me very angry. When it was time for bed, I was so mad, I couldn’t go to sleep. Ididn’t know what to do so I got down on my knees and began to pray, asking God to help me overcome this feeling that I had. The very next day was thefirst time in my life that I came to believe that there was a Power greater than my anger, which was God. So I made a decision to turn mywillingness over to the care of God, as I understood Him. What I’m sayingit that God works in mysterious ways. Some of the steps of recovery cameinto my life and I didn’t even realize it.

“I want to thank God, Mr. and Mrs. Keller, and some people I met here at thetreatment center that made my stay worthwhile. I would also like to thankthe staff for being so loving and professional.

“Friday night, I received a sobriety chip for being clean 30 days. Fellows,you need to receive one to know how good it feels! I don’t know how to explain it, but I do know that Fontainbleu Treatment Center gave me the message that I had a purpose in life and also the motivation to stay clean, but it’s up to me.

Thank you, Jerry”

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur

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