Old friends are irreplaceable. When I was a young and confused teenager, I ran away to the Yukon.
I was already addicted to substances and ran with an older crowd, many of whom were dealing drugs. Mickey was a bartender just a few years older than I who, for some reason, had a soft spot for me.
She knew that I was pretty messed up, and for years she was there whenever I needed her. She nursed me after a car accident, she showed up for me when I was in an abusive marriage, she even took care of my little kids when I needed help.
She has also been here for me throughout all the many decades of my recovery. She is one of the people who "knew me when," and I think she is blown away that I survived my addiction and have been thriving in my recovery.
I'm grateful for the care she showed me when I was at my lowest, and so glad that she loved me during my least lovable stages. I am amazed at her enduring pride in and support of my recovery.