So I went to an AA meeting this evening. It was a typical meeting. We share our experience, strength, and hope around recovery from alcoholism. This is what we talk about. Nothing unusual. Then I learn at the end that somebody I knew, not well, but I knew had overdosed, on what, I don’t know, nor does it matter.

Addicts and alcoholics dying from substance abuse isn’t news. When we lose somebody, it still hurts. We are the lucky ones, the survivors.

You might say I don’t have a lot of patience for any contrived drama. The manipulators and exploiters abound. Read between the lines. Look for the back story. Get some other form of exercise besides jumping to conclusions. Because the real tragedy often doesn’t make the headlines. It ceased to be news a long time ago.