Scenes From The Otherside Of The Tracks

In my path of life I've seen and felt a lot of different things. I've seen people go back out using and not wake up. I've seen people so hooked that they can't stop shaking for days and weeks. I've felt the pain of being "alone" in a world full of billions of people. I've felt hope, had faith, and love. Indescribable love. Last night I saw again what drugs do to people. I saw the mental, physical, and emotional damage it can do. I met another heroin addict last night. A man who had been clean for less than forty-eight hours. He was at the height of his dope-sickness. He looked like an empty shell of a man. Eyes bloodshot from vomiting. Face red and swollen from tears of pain. Hands shaking out of control from the pain of withdrawal. I saw his pain and felt it. I've been in those shoes. When I quit cocaine I clenched my hands so tight I could bend steel. I felt like I was in a vice grip and being squeezed to death. My legs would not stop moving up and down. I cried. I was empty. I talked to him. I tried to make him feel welcome and loved. I hugged him hard. I didn't want to let go. I cried. When I left the meeting, I felt good. He may not make it, but he will remember that hug. He will remember that.

Comments

[Crazy Girl]

Bless you, Jax.

[Crazy Girl]

I'm going to remember it too.

[matt]

i'm so proud of you.