May 2 2019
Paul R. of Odessa Texas - Originally, Stockton CA.
Paul R. is one of the bright spots in AA. A young person I met in 2014 and knew right away he was very special. Once in a while you come across an alcoholic who you can see from across the room is on fire. They are walking around, talking to everyone. Smiling. Laughing. And, you think immediately, I have to meet that one. I had the best feeling about Paul right away. Once I introduced myself, he said he'd heard from someone that he should look to meet me too, because we both were similar. Extroverted. All around happy and of course, both in love with sobriety.This recording came from an invitation I extended to him once he had his 1 year. This was recorded in December 2015. Paul flew from Odessa to Austin just to speak at our Saturday night meeting. Another indication that someone is a great kind of alcoholic. Paul didn't think it was too far, or too much to ask, he just enthusiastically said "yes".On that trip we went to a coffee shop and it was raining out. We couldn't get a parking spot close to the door and we thought we'd sit and chat and hope that the rain would die down so we wouldn't get drenched trying to reach the front door. We ended up speaking for hours in the car talking and watching the rain - watching the rain stop. We never tired of sharing with one another. He was so enthusastic and had so many questions. About identifying a career path - about dating, how did I know I was in love, when would he know he'd found the one? He had quesitons about school, sobriety, and life. Everything. And, he couldn't have exhausted me if he tried. We never did make it into the coffee shop.Paul was killed, suddenly and tragically this last weekend. Our last conversation was a couple of months ago. He apologized over and over for getting "busy". Wrapped up in the job, the girlfriend, life. I never held that against him of course. What good is having a sober life, if we don't live it? He promised he'd visit me this summer and we'd drive with the top down (he loved my Saab convertible, his favorite - regrettably, I don't have that car anymore but promised him the new one was just as much fun).I'm still in shock at his sudden departure from my life, from the fellowship and the confines of this earth. He will always hold a special place in my heart and the hearts of others in the fellowship. He simply was one of a kind. I adored him and so would have you.
