03/15/2024
What a crazy thing it is I get to do and call it work. I mean, it’s really strange when you think about it.
For instance, my office today looked like me walking into a man’s home whom I’d never met with the exception of a brief phone conversation prior to my visit.
The man is an alcoholic. He was beat and worn down pretty bad. As my friend Jason Chane would say, it looked as though he had his ass sufficiently handed to him.
I’d spoken with his mother several times for the past couple of weeks where she shared the struggles they’d been having for a long time as a family. They were tired.
We put a plan together. Strategy.
I didn’t really know him but I knew him as soon as I saw him. My duty today was to make sure he was flown safely to a high level of care suitable for the stage of alcoholism he had found himself in.
He was scared. I’d been there myself. It’s a horrible feeling. It’s like you look around one day and everything has crumbled down around you and you realize you’re the wrecking ball.
I was able to connect with him. Two miles down the road we were laughing and telling stories.
There were some emotional ups and downs along the journey but through it, he got real with me and I with him.
Raw life was happening with this man and I got to be a part of it.
I got to witness a sight that in reality, few get to witness. I witnessed the moment a man in the deepest, darkest day of his life experiences hope.
I had two goals today.
1-Get him from point A to B safely.
2- Give him some real hope.
My last words to him as I handed him off safely to a medical team were— If you’re gonna be a bear, be a grizzly.
His family gave him the opportunity and I’ve given him the hope but it’s totally up to him what he does with it. I hope he chooses wisely.
If you aren’t busy on Thursdays at 8pm eastern, come hang out with me and my colleagues at our free family support group for those who have loved ones like the man today. You can register for the link at www.interventiononcall.com