Although it saddens me to say, my time at Gilly’s House will be coming to an end. On January 27th I will be handed keys to my new apartment. I choose this space due to its proximity to my Waltham office and family in Sharon. The complex is beautiful and I am very excited to continue my journey towards a brighter future. I will not, however, ever forget where I started and all the help I got along the way to get where I am today.
On March 6th, 2020 I moved to West Street with two nickels in my pocket and 30 days of unwelcome sobriety — I had no idea what to expect! I had lost everything that was once good and still was not sure I cared about anything other than where I’d find my next drink. I knew I hit rock bottom. I knew if something didn’t change I’d be left all alone either on the streets, in a jail cell, or…. Gilly’s House is exactly what I needed to regain some control and take back my life. Unbeknownst to me I would find solace here. For the first time I admitted I was powerless over alcohol – that my life had become unmanageable. I learned it is possible to be happy and stay sober at the same time. I started seeing things clearer. I started to replace a bad habit with a few good ones. I started getting back things that I lost. I started to realize that the good far outweighs the bad.
I will never forget about all the love and support I have personally received. I have also witnessed more care and support for any man who shows an inkling of need. Gilly’s House saves lives and I know that everyone and their families is thankful for that. It is a place to reset, regroup and take back what is rightfully deserved. I can’t thank each of you enough (I will surely do so on a 1:1 basis) for everything you have given me. February 2nd will be one year for me and I know the journey will never be over. I know I never want to go back to where I once was and that Gilly’s House was the place that has given me a chance to the best version of myself. Thank you all for that and for consistently putting others before yourselves — you will never be forgotten.
Keep the coffee pot warm and the dishwashers empty.