There were times in our lives
when we knew we were touched by an unseen hand,
when we knew we were saved by something beyond ourselves,
when we recognized a force greater than ourselves
that had us in its loving embrace.

There were times when we were spared tragedies,
consequences, or what we thought were our just rewards,
and then there were times
when we were just grateful to be alive.

There were those times
when we realized we had been given a gift,
or a purpose to live by.

There were those times
when we learned to be quiet,
when we learned to be still,
when we surrendered
when we asked for help,
when we prayed for guidance.

And finally there were the times
when we walked away from our old lives and into recovery…
where we found friendship, faith, hope, and support,
where we found unconditional love, understanding and acceptance,
where we truly have another chance.

Lori Crockett