Another Good Man Gone

My name is Tommy S. and I am an Alumni of Valley Hope in Grapevine Tx.
I would first like to express my sincere gratitude for the much needed help that I received while I was in the "in-patient" program, and the help I am now receiving through the "out-patient" program.
During my "in-patient" stay, I shared a room with a man named John P. He too was there for alcohol addiction. He ended his battle by hanging himself less than a week after we got out. He left his wife and his daughters behind when he did this.
I guess you could say that I was inspired at 3:00 in the morning to write a poem about addiction, and I would like to share it with you, and other alcoholics like myself. Perhaps you can include it in the Valley Hope News letter?

DEAR JOHN
I am writing you this letter 'cause I didn't get to say good-bye...because your sickness overcame you for the very last time.
This disease so many battle is powerful, cunning ,and more... to have taken someone like you from us who cared for others so much more.
I guess it made you forget how much you meant to all your family, friends, and peers...just another sigh of how you fought this demon for so many years...
There is nothing more we could have said, nothing more we could have done
to prevent this disease called addiction from taking such a special one.
Your compassion, humor, wit and love are just a few things that we shall recall...it is these memories that will keep you with us one, and all.
In the end it seems it's all the same...."another good man gone"...
By the hand of his addiction was he claimed... those of us left behind still suffering, know all to well his pain.
Through all this darkness, there is a light... and even a sense of hope.. maybe your story will keep others from the "drink", and the "dope"
For you to have found your "Higher Power" is all that we can pray....
Peace go with you my friend, until perhaps we meet again another day.

By: Tommy S.