A Meaningful Conversation

Last night I attended a Twins game with my father. This was my birthday present to him -- a night out at the teflon-covered Metrodome to watch a sub-500 baseball team. Obviously the Twins were just the background to the true gift: a father-son outing.

Despite the Twins slumping record and often lackluster play, the game featured a number of memorable moments:

+ Twins rookie pitcher Kevin Slowey struck out 7 batters.

+ The Twins scored their first run on a perfectly executed double-steal by Torii Hunter and Michael Cuddyer followed by a wild throw by the Rangers' rookie catcher.

+ Joe Mauer, the uber-catcher and local-boy, hit a home run.

+ Torii Hunter stole a base while the pitcher stood on the mound because nobody bothered to cover second.

+ The Twins came-from-behind to win the game with two runs in the bottom of the ninth.

But none of these memorable items compared to my Dad's question and our ensuing conversation.

Some time around the third inning my Dad asked me: "How's life?"

As an addict, such a question is always pregnant with meaning. What is he really asking? Is he wondering how work is? How's the family? Is he just making conversation? Or does he want to know about my recovery and whether I'm making any progress. I decided that he meant the latter and, for some inexplicable reason, I also decided to answer honestly.

"Up and down," I said. "I'm not really making the progress I had hoped too. Things seem the same as they did about a year ago. I act out once or twice a week. But I think I am finally ready for a change."

All of these words were true and I uttered them sincerely. I am ready for a change. My heart has been humbled and I am ready to surrender control. I am ready to give up the pleasures and imperfect control that comes with acting out. I have, in fact, been sober for 12 days now and it feels good.

Dad and I talked about other things, too. Family, financial obligations, time commitments, daily prayer. It was a good, deep, and meaningful conversation.

A meaningful conversation with my Dad.

Priceless!