Day by Day
If you are a first time reader - welcome to Steps for Recovery newspaper. To our trusted readers, welcome back.
This is the 3rd issue I have published since Jason Levin's death (Jason was our previous publisher). It still hurts but I think the pain and loneliness is easing up.
Things seem to be getting semi-normal again. Normal means something different each day. Today it means the printer isn't working, Iforgot to order paper and Ispilled my coffee. I need normal. Normal makes the days go by and feel bearable.
I have been trying to live in the moment and take each day as it is presented to me. Some days are easier than others. We have had so much support from the recovery community and we want to take this moment to thank you all.
We are planning some wonderful things to help bring Steps for Recovery to the cutting edge of technology. Okay well maybe to the center. We are going to be adding new material to our web site in the next few months, so be sure to visit our web site and check us out.
We are also thinking of adding a new column entitled "Experience Strength & Hope". We want to share stories submitted from our readers about their journey to recovery. Recovery from drugs, alcohol, gambling addictions, eating disorders, abuse, recovery in prison and everything else. Check here next month and Ihope to have more information at that time.
We have been receiving numerous letters and emails from Jason's loyal readers. Some expressing support and encouragement. Most are about how he touched their lives. After sorting through so many letters I thought Ihad read it all but the following letter stopped me in my tracks - I felt compelled to share it with our readers.
Jeannie Rabb<
Your New Publisher Steps for Recovery Newspaper
Dear Steps for Recovery Newspaper,
This dispatch was never intended to deliver words of commiseration, its intention was quite the opposite. However procrastination, life and fate seem to have gotten the best of all of us. My letter to Jason was to be one filled with a deep and heartfelt gratitude, a validation of what he did each and every day and an admiration for his commitment to defeating the disease of alcoholism. I have not been blessed with the good fortune of meeting Jason, and as fate would have it, I never will. I have however been moved by his words, deeply affected by his thoughts and inspired by his wisdom.
After numerous ill fated attempts to get sober I came upon a story / editorial in "Steps For Recovery", penned by Jason Levin. I remember very little of the story, what I do remember are his words regarding how he felt, being "Jewish" when he came into AA. In an instant he uplifted me, and at the same time he shattered my world. My last excuse for not being "one of them" was gone. I sat there reading his story feeling as if he selected each and every word, each phrase especially for me. (Remember, "its all about me!") I cannot remember how many times I read that editorial, suffice to say, his name was forever committed to my memory. A few weeks later, Jason's name again presented itself in my life. I moved into a sober living house, and had to write an essay as part of my intake. Following the presentation of this essay, my House Manager, along with my Sponsor and room mates told me that I should publish the story. After much deliberation I promised them I would try, but I would only send it to one publisher. Mr. Jason Levin.
So with a heavy heart I wish all of you at the magazine, and Jason's Family the following prayer: "Hamakom yenachem etchem b'toch she'ar avelai Tziyon Vi'yerushalayim."
"May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem ."
As is said to the mourners at a Jewish funeral as well as in the home of those in mourning. And may you all recover from this sudden and tragic loss. If he could touch me so deeply just from his penmanship, I cannot conceptualize how affected all those who knew him must be.
I hold his part in my sobriety as sublime and for this he shall have my most sincere respect.
Yours Faithfully,
Avi Baer