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Jan 4, 2022Liked by Wayne Robins

Thanks for this column and story, Wayne, and good for you for leaving John Barleycorn by the roadside as you did. I believe some would call your landing on a hotel hosting an AA conference just then a god shot. I'm 7 years sober as of this Xmas (yup: the gift I gave myself) and while AA played a big role in my sobriety launch, frankly it's hearing the ticking of the big clock and not wanting to miss another real moment in life that sustains me. Oh, and photography helps too, since you can pick up your camera any time and any where and allow the creative pursuit feed my soul. Love your stories and appreciate the work involved, sir!

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Thank you so much, Matt. I really appreciate it. And thank you for upgrading your subscription and giving a gift!

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Wayne, I too had been told that there are no coincidences! By some miracle you were guided to that hotel. So happy that you are still in recovery all these years. G-d Blessed you during that trip; guiding you to recapture your life. Stay well, old friend. Happy New Year to you & your family.

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A guy from the Daily News once told me the best editor he ever had told him there were only three rules in the writing game: write it real, sparse and honest. Those rules could apply to the sobriety game too. You succeeded on all three counts in both games with this one, Wayne. Good job with a story I recognize as a hard one. Five years for me.

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Lucian, thanks so much! And congratulations to you. Although I do slightly lament that we never got to close down the Bells of Hell, or the Lion's Head, together. Slightly...

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Well done. Keeping it green! 36 years.

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Thank you, Dan!

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