dear neighbor

You don’t know me.

I don’t know you but I know who you are.  You dated a friend of mine a while back and I witnessed the happy pics of you on Facebook when you were together.  They were pics of  you and he dancing at the old hotel.

You looked beautiful.

I could tell that you were a drinker because, well, it takes one to know one;  but it wasn’t obvious.

I know things didn’t work out and you are in the same situation you were before, which wasn’t good or healthy.  I’m sorry and I so want to reach out to you.  Things…relationships, work, life in general….everything can be different.

You are in my prayers and if our paths cross again and you are sober I have promised the Lord that I would offer my hand.

In the meantime, I thank you.

You began to enter the shop but stopped short…you realized the liquor store was the next door down.  The glimpse I caught of you left me dumbstruck.  And very, very sad.

It was about 5 o’clock “happy hour”…

You looked as if you had just gotten out of bed.  I couldn’t tell if your cheek was black and blue or if it was a last-minute smear of makeup to try to look “presentable”.

You had a smile on your face that didn’t match your appearance.  It was more of a grin divorced from reality.

It broke my heart.

I know you won’t remember coming out for more.

I’m truly sorry…..

but

I have gained from your misery.

You have unknowingly made me stronger….

your face etched in sadness will be forever in my mind.

There, but for the grace of God go I.