It was a sad farewell but an exciting transition for me. I was moving out of inpatient and into the sobriety housing the center owned. I had to say good bye to all my new friends with hope that I would see them again soon. While everyone was at lunch I finished writing in their AA books a farewell message with hopes of continued friendship for years to come and my number so they can contact me. I am not much of a rock painter but I painted a rabbit on one stone I picked up around the building and a turtle on the other. I handed the rabbit to my counselor R.M. and told her how much she had meant to me these last few weeks. She was humbly appreciative and said it meant a lot to her. The turtle I had to leave in the psychologists office since he was in with a client. The turtle was to remind him of the red eared slider that had laid her eggs just feet from his window. I left it on his outer desk with a note stating thank you for all he had done for me and how this might remind him what a beautiful world we live in. I got to say goodbye to most of the staff in person and they were excited that I was accelerating to the next step. Many of them gave me hugs, some from a distance, and all said I would do fantastic in my new surroundings. I sure hope so.
The van came to get me and two other gentleman at the front entrance. Edith gave me one more hug and loaded me up into the van. It was a short drive to the new place I would be living and I was very nervous as to who my house mates would be. The driver introduced himself as Craig and made small talk as we drove. Like all the staff here he was very friendly and eased my worry by explaining how the houses worked. Apparently there are 15 houses on the lane. Each one can hold up to 6 men or woman. There is no rhyme or reason to which ones are male or female so we are all intertwined on the cul-de-sac. Main rule is no one is allowed in another’s house. I can abide by that no problem. Craig took me to the house I was to be staying in and introduced me to my new roommate T.S.. She is about my age and very beautiful. I hope we get along well. If she snores I will just die! I unpacked my stuff and headed over to the community building to do an orientation for the campus. Still pretty straight forwarded. Two of the houses had pools we could use and a van would pick us up if we wanted to go back to main campus to use the gym everyday at 4. No leaving the campus for any reason and no bringing in drugs or alcohol. Still pretty simple. I was given my packet and sent back to my house to get to know my new house mates.
I met T.B. next. She was a smiling woman also about my age and seemed to be the house head. She layed down the rules of the house which where clean up your mess, eat anything you want but replace it quickly, and recovery depends on working the program. I like these simple rules. Anne B. came out of her room and I was ecstatic to see her. We had been close friends while on campus and she was a quiet woman so I new I would be good here. Dinner was brought to the house and I settled in quickly. I think Ill call it a night. It was a good day.