1st Visit yesterday

We got to go see my son on a first visit yesterday. It was a wonderful afternoon and so great to see him clean! Both off drugs and literally clean, clean hair and clothes.  His attitude is great. He is all about following the rules of the program with the utmost respect for why the rules are in place. He was appreciative of us visiting and for the things we brought him. He has gained 20lbs already in 3 weeks - he was very underweight upon entering and already looking so much healthier. My hope for him grows stronger every day he stays there.

Myself, dad, girlfriend and sister all went for the visit. Eventually we will be allowed to take him out for a few hours but for now he still isn't allowed to leave yet. We packed up a picnic lunch and all ate in the dining room at the house together. My son toured us all around the areas of the house we were allowed to go in. It was so great to see this amazing house and program in action.

I was awed by the house and program. It houses around 100 men and is a 6 month program. They are helping my son with all areas of his life and it is about rebuilding lives destroyed by addiction and helping them re-enter society as productive individuals upon completion. The entire program is possible by donations. Donated money, donated clothing, donated food. It amazing to know there are so many businesses, individuals and organizations providing those donations that care about those suffering from addiction. The house itself is amazing - a huge beautiful old mansion. It was great for me to see where he is. My son is already getting medical attention for his Hep C which made me happy to hear. They take him to any needed appointments to help rebuild his life. He has an in house job of cleaning bathrooms. The daily schedule is full of groups and meetings. They are busy from sunrise to sleep.

He told us how when he left there in October after his 4 day stint,  he left all his things behind. When he came this time there are random guys wearing his clothes! That cracked me up as really funny as he described walking down the hall and here comes some guy in your t-shirt. What gets left behind gets put right back into the donated clothes. He was able to retrieve a few of his things but he was laughing telling us the story and that was nice.

He also told us a story about a new guy that came and how he only had one pair of shoes. My son wanted to help him out so he gave him a pair of boots he had gotten out of the donation bin. He started to get attached to the guy, thought he was someone he could be friends with. He joked that if he left to not take the boots with him and they better be outside his door. The guy left, with the boots. He said he understands now  why some of the guys who have been there a while don't get too close to the new ones coming in.

I just can't get over how amazing the program is and how fortunate he is to be there. The turnover is shocking how many run after waiting months and months to get in. A board by the entrance showed around 10 names of residents that had just left in the last couple of days. I felt sad for them. I know his name was there back in October and am so grateful he wants to be there today. He told us over and over he wants to stay this time and he is really glad he is there. I feel so grateful today his name was not on that board.