Hi; I'm after a favour for a friend...

[Chrissie]

PM on it's way Lilac & thank you

[Scylla]

Please PM me the addy too, Chrissie Then I'll start wheedling to Bro

[Chrissie]

PM on it's way Scylla

[Chrissie]

Just to add a thank you to (((Jungle))) as well

[tosh1969]

Dec 7, 2011 23:59:04 GMT jungle said:

AA is one of the best organisations in the world. Keep up the good work mate. You folks change lives.

A.A. has changed my life - I'm one of those alkies who see their alcoholism as a gift; I've learnt so much about life because of it - and I love seeing newcomers change and grow. Honestly, you wouldn't believe how people can change from broken self centred wrecks, into really beautiful people.

Just recently we had a lady arrive, drunk, crying, saying she's attempted numerous suicide attempts and in a right old mess. Fast forward a few months, she's clean, has makeup on, is smiling, laughing, doing service, helping others and has a totally new attitude towards life.

And the guy whose getting this e-cig and juice that you lot have kindly donated; if you saw him during his drinking days, you may possibly have just written him off as a 'chav drunk'. He's barred from many pubs and has had many dealings with the police.

Well, he's now even started going to Buddhist meditation classes to learn how to meditate (meditation is part of A.A.'s program). I mean - what a change! He's bi-polar; exercise is good for depression; but he feels the current state of his lungs stops him from exercising; so hopefully this e-cig will help with that practical aspect.

But, I also think that the kindness the gift will impart to him will also help his self esteem. Getting some people to believe that they're really decent human beings, and they deserve to be happy just as much as anyone else, isn't always easy, particularly for alkies and addicts.

Thanks guys/gals. I haven't mentioned anything about the e-cig yet; but he's coming here for bacon sarnies and some more work on A.A.'s program on Saturday lunchtime. If the e-cig has arrived by then, I'll give him them then, and I'll post up his reaction.

Thanks again.

[Chrissie]

Fantastic post there Tosh

[Jemima]

I don't have much in the way of spare bits, but I do wish you both the very best and hope things work out the right way.

[tosh1969]

Hi all,

Well, two packages arrived today; the vaping stuff and a bag of mixed flavours; and I'm just back from meeting up with this guy and I gave him the stuff with a quick lesson one what goes where, and how it all works.

But last night, he was really down; and was still depressed after the meeting we went to; just quiet and subdued. I've seen him like this before and he subsequently drank, so I was a little worried for him. I phoned him this morning, just to check he was okay (he was; but still not happy), so this afternoon when I gave him the packages and he had a first try with this kit, he was really chuffed.

He still finds it strange that total strangers would do this for him (his old 'friends' were more into ripping each other off); I explained I asked for second hand kit, how people might have stuff they don't use, yet some kind soul purchased a brand new kit on his behalf. And a little about how being kind to others is good for us; how it keeps us sober; and how it's his job now to cultivate a good heart towards others.

Anyway, he's thankful, sober, and it brightened his day; so thank you, you kind people.

I'll let you know in a few days how he's getting on with it.

Regards,

Tosh

[Perpetua]

What lovely news Tosh, although I didn't contribute to the parcels, I'm so pleased that others generosity has bought hope to your friend on a number of levels.

All the very best to him.

[tosh1969]

Thanks, Perpetua; I forgot to mention that he groaned because he'd just bought a new packet of tobacco!

I think it's a good lesson in kindness too; A.A. places emphasis on being 'spiritually fit', and helping others is hugely important (if not absolutely vital) in helping us remain so.

This act of kindness, from total strangers, will help him with that, I think. Giving without expectation; it's powerful stuff. He has got a good heart, under all his bluster and bravdo (ego); I'm sure he'll pass the kindness on, hopefully for many sober years.

As I say, I'll let you know how he gets on with them; wait, I'll give him a quick call now; I'm sure he's vaping his brains out as I type.

[tosh1969]

Yep, he's liking it; really liking it. He's not sure if he's going to need to smoke again, and my advice was that if he's feeling stressed; SMOKE (anything rather than drink), and that he can always go back to the vaping when he's got a more solid sobriety; but he's enjoying it right now.

[jungle]

Good times.

[Chrissie]

Thank you so much Tosh for the update

Very pleased to hear he is liking vaping

[Chrissie]

Tosh, I know that apart from the Riva kit, quite a few other lovely members have sent you juice etc to help out your friend, so would be lovely to hear you have received them & some more updates on how your friend is doing

[tosh1969]

Hi all, apologies for the delay in my replying; well, you lot have confirmed my suspicion that Santa is alive and well and my friend is now a fully fledged vapourer with his Riva, lots of cartomisers and the three packets of juice that have arrived; that should keep him going for a while.

So thanks to Curtis, Jingle, Chrissie and the others whose names I don't even know; thank you; your kindness has definitely helped this young lad.

He's doing well on both the smoking and the drinking front; he's not drinking - over a month now - and he seems to be confident in his sobriety; he says he feels more positive than he has in the past. As with the smoking, he says he still has one or two roll ups in the morning, but is then fine for the rest of the day. I haven't seen him since Saturday, so maybe he's kicked these?

And today was his first day at work, his first in over three years; he's working for a landscape gardener (whose also in A.A.); only a few days though, but who knows what leads to what?

Hey, seriously, thanks, I've been touched by your kindness. When I passed the stuff on, he was slightly bemused at the fact that total strangers have given him stuff. I explained that his job is to pass that kindness on to others. Stuff like this helps changes lives; even just the little stuff; so thank you.

Regards,

Tosh

P.S. I'll call back periodically; just to let you know if he actually keeps off the smokes long term.