April 10, 2023 at 12:11 p.m.
Northwoods Recovery: Cherishing local gifts
By Jeff Frye-
One of the many positives about recovering from addiction in the Northwoods - for me, at least - is that here I've been handed the tools and the room to explore and develop a recovery that's so much more than a simple commitment to sobriety; my friends and neighbors encourage me with the space to live and grow the recovered lifestyle best suited for me and my community. Every day that I'm here I feel a groundswell of support for all my recovery endeavors. When returning home after an extended absence I always feel welcomed back.
Perhaps because the bulk of our people are only part-year residents it may be commonplace, just part of Northwoods culture, but personally appreciated just the same. Just as I appreciate my self-conferred status as a roving Hodag goodwill ambassador.
Gratitude is an essential aspect of every good recovery, and after last weekend's April Fool's snowstorm I'm grateful I was able to take advantage of some previous sunny days and walk around Hodag Park; no telling when those lovely walking paths will be snow-free again. Until then I'm grateful to have that awesome Hodag Dome for daily exercise, grateful to be home.
It was a gift of recovery to find myself spending six amazing weeks in Peru, and then another gift of recovery to come home in time to celebrate granddaughter Ruby's fourth birthday. In the summertime I am blessed to have my grandkids two or three days a week, and you can usually find us at Hodag Park or Buck Lake; more of the endless gifts given to me by recovery. Like so much else, only by keeping Rhinelander the centerpiece of my recovery are these gifts possible and ongoing.
While traveling, my favorite question is "Where are you from?" and since few asking have ever heard of Rhinelander, it's an opportunity to explain at length why I choose to live in Northern Wisconsin. I rarely pass up a chance to travel to more exotic locales - next month I'll be off to my favorite beach in Mexico - but home is where the heart is, and my heart is at home here; with my grandkids and close-held friends, with the recovery culture that has been my abiding comfort and guiding light. I couldn't imagine making my home anywhere else. Spring will soon be here, to prove once again that even after this heavy snow winter we've suffered through, we do recover.
Do you think you may have a problem with alcohol? Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Call our Hotline at (715)360-4637 or visit our website at www.northwoodsaa.org for questions or to find a meeting in your area.
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