Received a text yesterday with a mug shot attached. Staring intently into the camera was a face I knew well.
It was that of a former TLC manager who had worked for us for a number of years, managing one of our larger facilities. While with us he was one our best. He was kind and generous. He usually went above and beyond, working long hours. He helped many clients get through the early days of recovery.
Eventually he left to pursue another career. However, he was always back at the house. He sponsored several clients. Took them to meetings. He was always available.
So what happened? How did he get on Sheriff Joe’s website? A candidate for mug shot of the day?
I don’t know for certain. There’s a story out there that he received a large sum of money which took him away from his recovery. We heard another story that he was in a treatment program and had no shoes. Then yesterday comes the mug shot, with a line saying he’s in jail for possession of drugs.
Here’s a man who emulated recovery. Who carried the message. Who had a half-dozen sponsees. Yet he’s in jail facing drug charges?
It’s always easy to say he did or didn’t do certain things. And we can never be certain what opened that door for him.
One thing for sure: his friends and those he helped are praying for his safe return.
