Eight years ago....

I just walked past the old big tree outside Pirates in Hout Bay and memories came flooding back, of the exact night eight years ago, when I stood under the same tree talking to my mother, who was in hospital at the time, using my cell phone .

All those years ago I was upset because neither my mother, nor my Grandmother (who was also in the same hospital) had remembered that it was my birthday that day. When I pointed it out to my mother, she was so upset that she could possibly have forgotten.

I cannot remember much else about that day except to say that I probably walked back into Shananigan's which is what Pirates was called back then, got drunk and used drugs. Back then I was a self-centred, childish, using drug addict who could only think of himself. I was hardly a son that a mother could be proud of although my mother was somehow incredibly proud of me. I had hidden my addiction away from her for years. I hid it from everyone, especially those closest to me.

As I walked past that same tree tonight, I felt happier in the fact that I have been a recovering drug addict for over 5 years and someone I feel could now make a parent proud.

Sadly my mother passed away twelve days after that phone call and has not been around for any more of my birthdays. On days like this I miss both my mother and my grandmother.

So if you still have your parent around....Go hug them now!

If you are troubled by addiction...feel free to come talk to me anytime....