It is truly a testament to the resiliency of the human Spirit to see people who struggle with addiction and mental health issues continue to fight for their Freedom. I have worked for the last 25yrs. Helping clients look at their options for recovery. I have worked different modalities of treatment inpatient / outpatient / group homes/ correctional and hospital settings. It was not unusual to see the same client in all of these settings. Some of these clients I have seen since the beginning of my career. Some people may think that this is sad and maybe we should give up any hope for change. Some may even say they just don't want to change. Let me ask you if you had a sickness would you be ok with it or would you hope for change? That's why I said that the human spirit in us is amazing. Even the clients I've seen since the beginning of my career are still fighting. It may look like setbacks and it would be easy to judge them, but if you look real close with your heart instead of your eyes. You will see a person , but for the Grace of GOD there go I . You can pray for people who are sick also remember those who struggle with the sickness of addiction. I find it an honor to be a part of the healing process in these men and women. Who are these people they are US mothers, fathers,brothers,sister, aunts , uncles etc . Gods blessings and mercy on all. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and remember these people a the table .
Thanks for your beautiful post John. Addiction is very misunderstood. The realities of the disease are hard to understand for those who don’t walk in our shoes. I suppose I wouldn’t understand it either if I wasn’t an addict/alcoholic. Heck, even I struggle to wrap my head around it at times. Those of us that are afflicted have a duty to ourselves, our higher power, and to other sick and suffering from this illness, to show compassion and help our fellow men and women whenever possible. In the 11th step prayer, I’m taught to be this way towards all people. Some mornings I rush thru these prayers without much thought, other days the words hit me hard. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be grateful, and to pray for all those struggling just to hang on. As you say so eloquently, it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s quite beautiful to see people in recovery battle thru life, and learn to live life on life’s terms. May we all find peace, and be a little kinder and gentler to our fellow man/woman 
Wow thank you!!!! 
Love this!!