John

My friend John called me.  He is working in Minnesota now.  I haven't talked to him in so long.  It was so good to hear his voice.  The kids talked to him.  We all miss him and all his stories and how much he loves my kids.
John had had a few beers.  The last time I talked to him he was sober.  He got married and all seemed right with his world.  But something changed and so he reverted back to his ways of before.  Being a single man and self medicating.
Here is what I know.  I love John because he drinks too much.  He loves me because I am co-dependent.  However I don't enable him.  I don't judge him.  He is my friend and I listen to his stories and I ask him what he is going to do when he tells me he drinks too much.  So while we could have a totally unhealthy relationship, we don't.  I don't feel the need to fix him or help him.  He has to find his own path.
I'm sad that his marriage didn't work out.  I'm sad he has to sell his house and that he felt the need to look for work elsewhere.  His children are here.  And while he makes that work..... I hope someday he finds real sobriety.
I do miss my friend though.  We had many great conversations when we were neighbors at the apartments.  Miss those days and the neighborness.  I miss all the great parenting input.  Guess I just miss John.