Recovery Day Festival, 6thand6th, New Westminster

I arrived early.  Everyone is setting up.  Great to see known folk, Already received a hug from a beautiful Orchard organizer.  Good chat with a Last Door fellow.  Actually spoke to a Cedars volunteer.  Recovery is all about connection. I’ve also got a t shirt, We are #evidence.  

I am always astonished at how good looking everyone is.  It’s a night and day experience with the active addiction folk in the DTES. The men and women here have substance. Considering addiction knows no boundaries.  Recovery is open to all.  I think the women are looking particularly attractive not just healthy but fashion conscious. I remember Avalon centre holding fashion shows for the women in recovery.  After months and years of obsession with drugs and booze they celebrate self care in recovery. An oft heard saying in AA is ‘we’ll love you till you can love yourself’.  The shame in addiction is replaced by the dignity of recovery.  

I remember Dr. Graham Cunningham, Homewood Treatment Centre, now the former director saying, “People begin to eat again and next they visit a dentist,”. Cocaine does horrors to the teeth.  Doug Lovely, my cosmetic dentist and all around great guy  has an office  right beside the bandstand.  I noted several booths representing various dental clinics.  

There’s more tattoos here than at a church picnic.  More piercings . The spirituality here is inspirational.  Addiction is its own religion with alcohol, substances or other addictions as the God that is worshiped. No surprise the old folk called it ‘demon drink’.   People in recovery say ‘religion is for those who don’t want to go to hell and spirituality is for those who’ve been and don’t want to go back.’

A couple of older guys stopped and talked to me.  Shaking my hand and making ‘connection’.  The recovery community is friendly that way.  Addiction is isolation in a bubble with predators trying to take whatever money or life you have.  No surprise they call addiction a country and western song where you lose your family, home, job and truck. Recovery is country and western song played backwards.  All the good stuff comes back.  Health and peace of mind. 

The band is warming up and the female singer sounds New Orleans.  Such a powerful voice.   Powerful drums. 

I always love the dances in recovery because the guys are so enjoying themselves.  The same guys who used to need to be loaded to dance now are having a great time without staggering into tables and starting fights in the parking lot.

There’s Harm Reduction represented here too.  It’s either Palliative Care or a stepping stone to abstinence the’cure’ for addiction, There are some who get recovery either by stopping completely or going at their own speed. All roads in recovery were heading slower or faster away from the abyss.  You don’t have to take the elevator all the way to the sub basement.  You can get off at any floor.  Dr.  Ray Baker’s research showed that recovery from addiction was like other diseases, the earlier the intervention the higher the success.  No one is judging.  The inclusivity in the community is the recognition none are perfect and no one is a saint.  Honesty begins with the recognition of a problem and asking for help. I loved the banner at the IDAA, International Doctors in AA meeting which stated, “We are not alone”.  Addiction is so lonely.  Egomania with an inferiority complex and such a load of lies.

Lots more people here, I’ve had a muffin at Waves with Cafe Latte.  Madigan loves the smells of all the other dogs passing by.  He insisted on a taste of the muffin.  

Well the bands gone funky with a raw rock and roll sound that’s telling me I’ve done enough writing and must get into the present.  One day at a time.  Practicing the presence of God. It’s called the present because it’s a gift.  Getting my head in the same room as my ass is.

I’m so glad I’ve come. Great weather. Great people.  Such a terrific vibe.