Judging a book by its cover

Book stores; new or used and libraries are some of my most favorite places to be, there are so many possibilities. In the past I would only browse the sections that were my 'go to' sections. I did not want to take a chance on wasting my time looking at something that probably was not going to interest me and I certainly would not like. I was very closed minded. I started working at Border's back in the day and found that I was interested in more than what I was used to. I started thinking outside the box and tried not to judge a book by it's cover. Some of the most wonderful things I have ever read were as far from what the cover looked like as it could possibly get.

Many people look at those that suffer from addiction and their families and make a snap decision based on what they see on the surface or what they think they know. The negative statements that; it is a choice, or a moral failing, or poor parenting, that the person clearly was not loved enough otherwise this never would have happened are all 100% not true. Plain and simple. Addicts and their families look just like you and just like me. We are all 'regular' people who were dealt a crappy hand. No one I know would "choose" this life.

This disease has humbled me in so many ways. Since starting this prayer chain through this site and the stones, I have had folks from all over reach out and share their stories and hope for a brighter future for themselves and those they love.

What we want; and I hope it is okay to speak for all of you reading this, is for people to look beyond the 'cover' of those that suffer with this disease. Open the book and look inside at the wonderful things that come out of all of these people. Having a daughter that is an addict has taught me more than I have ever learned anywhere else in my life. Knowing Ben and loving Ben has made me a better person than I was before him.

Annie and Cameron reading her Medical dictionary; Quite interesting!

Please open your hearts and minds to the endless possibilities that these folks are capable of with the love and support of others. I am not so naïve that I am not aware that every addict isn't ready to make a fresh start, but if they are; support them where they are. Sometimes we have to open a book that we had set aside to find that where we are now is where we need to be to hear the story again and appreciate it for what it is now.