Thursday, October 30, 2008

A Rebirth

I said before that I'm jumping in, after checking the water first, with guest posts.  I ambushed someone in the comments section of my post talking about wanting to ask people but wasn't sure if I could.  This particular blogger I found through comments on WriterDad's blog.  Come to think of it, I've found lots of great blogs through comments there.
 
His name is Scott Carver and he's a recovering alcoholic and speaks very openly about his life on his blog, The Ever-Changing Thought.  I'm thankful that he accepted my challenge of putting together a guest post.
 
I hope you enjoy and please leave your thoughts with us.
 
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photo by foxypar4

When I turned the steering wheel to the right and saw the the campus, the arch over the driveway, a lump of nerves jumped into my throat.  They didn't really just go away either.  It's as if they sat there spinning around and around.  Yet, I knew, this was my second chance, my final chance, and I tried to swallow them away, squeezing my throat muscles hoping to choke them off.  Didn't work out so well. It was a tough knot.  They were persistent.  I just had to learn quickly how to live with them.  

I had many chances to turn around.  Drive away.  Go back.  But what was back?  Looking through the rear-view mirror of my life, back was a train wreck, the scene of a horrible accident, death and destruction, a hellish scene with pain and moaning and torture. A spot in the road where there seemed to be no God.  No one there to help me in my struggles.  Yeah, I immediately looked to the present and forced myself into a parking spot. 

 I had a few minutes to spare.  I wasn't sure what to do.  I sat in my vehicle, luggage in the back.  Going through every failure, every triumph, every miserable moment of my life.  Now, though, it was the last chance I would get to use my cell for a couple of weeks, so, I called my dad. 

Told him I had made it.  Immediately cried to him how scared I was.  How sorry I was.  How I wish someone would have came with me.  All while failing miserably to choke back the tears, fend off the crying.  I was a mess.  But I could go back.  

It was time.  The next step.  The beginning of the birthing pains.  The beginning of 2 of the most wonderful, spirit filled, annoying, painful, upsetting, happy 2 weeks of my life.  Over those 2 weeks, I experienced every emotion times 10.  But I could go back.

 March 10th.  I was at the end of my re-birth.  The final day.  I could see the light.  It was time.  Time to leave the safety of the scariest place I had ever seen.  Leave the darkness behind.  Leave my new friends behind.  Left to wonder if they could make it, who would be back, would I be back, was I ready? 

“Scott, it's time.”, there as someone with me now.  A voice of someone inside.  Not someone.  Something.  Something strong, without fear.  I was letting him go with me. He was on my shoulder as I gathered my things.  All the while letting me know that he was going to be here, and I would never be alone.  

I made my way from my room with my things, to check myself out.  Scared stiff. I'm not going to lie.  I had to go back into the world.  But he was going with me.I said my goodbyes to my new friends.  We cried, wished each other luck. I said my goodbyes to the school pastor, who helped my find my new friend.  I said goodbye to my old self as I had left a part of me there.  

The final stage of birth now.  The head is visible.  The light is ever more clear.  With both hands on the wheel, shaking, that bundle of nerves has made it's way back.  I took a deep breathe, turned the key, and said “Let's do this.” 

Leaving the campus, on the side of the arch facing the campus was the words, ever so elegantly written.  So powerful, so fulfilling.  The words were.  

LET GO AND LET GOD 

I drove under and heard the voice say,“Yes, that's right.  Let Go, and Let Me.” I was reborn into this world that day.  I made it home, passing bars and convenience stores.  I could hear the devil in those places, begging me to come in. “Come on Scott, just one won't hurt.”  Then my God said “Move On.” 

And I did.  I'm so glad I didn't go back.  

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

This entry was a beautiful story of triumph over past demons. The writing was very descriptive and emotional. Way to go Scott! And thanks to Kool Aid for putting up the guest post.

Anonymous said...

Kate - I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! Fighting my demons is an everyday battle for me and I'm sure anyone who reads. Battles I'm glad to share with any who will read, enjoy, and take encouragement from.

It really helps me to have folks like yourself and Kool Aid to "aid" me in my battles by letting me share. Life is just too short to not be fun. :)

Ditto to Kool Aid for letting me post.

Unknown said...

Hey Scott
Very beautifully put. "I could hear the devil in those places, begging me to come in." I think there are many many people who can relate to that, and not just with drink.
Great guest post Kool

(oh look at that, the word verification is obsessu)

Anonymous said...

tara - ahh, that pesky devil. He is definitely in many many places and many many lives. He still has a tendency to poke his head in mine. Thank God for strength, huh.

Anonymous said...

I am not sure how I ended up over at this blog but I am glad I arrived.

Scott, what a wonderful post. I think we all have battles but many of us are not open enough to share them. I actually just started another blog to get away from a "perfect" world so that I could confront my demons.

Kool-Aid this was a good find. I look forward to following each of your blogs.

Kool Aid said...

Thank you Kate, Tara and welcome Cricket! Scott definitely has a powerful story to share - I'm just glad he was willing to share it here.

Cricket, I hope you do come back - I'll have more guest posts, plus my own random stuff. Thanks again for visiting,
KA

Anonymous said...

cricket - I too thank you for visiting. It is refreshing...eye opening...I can't find the right words...to share my story.

Best wishes for you and your blog and your "demon" battles. They are tough battles sometimes. You know where to find me if you need :)

Kool Aid - Again, I am honored to have shared a bit of my story in your house. Thanks for the opportunity. I'm glad I "volunteered" :)