Walk Through It

 

Over 26 years ago, my last pharmacist job while I was using drugs, was at a small clinic outpatient pharmacy.

Those of you following my story know, through divine intervention, I turned myself in, went to rehab, and began an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding sober life.

What you don’t know is, in pharmacy school, I was roommates and close friends with the son of the pharmacist who owned this clinic pharmacy. The son has now owned the pharmacy for quite a few years.

Internally, I questioned whether our friendship would continue; however, as I have said before, truth and honesty have a way of setting us free, as well as mending relationships.

Over the last 25 years we have had many authentic conversations about addiction, recovery and the practice of pharmacy. As well, we ski together at least one day each year.

This past week he called me, in a bind, and asked if I could come cover his store for 6 hours.

After a heart-to-heart with my wife, we agreed it would be a good idea for me to walk through it and show up.

After 26 years and 75 days, I stepped behind the counter of his pharmacy. The same technician who had worked with me years ago was still there. It was familiar; however, I had changed.

I walked through it, practiced pharmacy, and had a delightfully-engaging uneventful-day.