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This was me. May 1975. Graduating from Alliance High School. Alliance, NE. Wow! 35 years ago. I was always the "goody-two-shoes". Never did the keggars. Nor the pot parties. None of it. Didn't interest me. I stayed busy with things like drama, band, UIL-type stuff, and watching my 2 younger brothers.
So who would have guessed that you are looking 30 years down the road & finding this girl addicted to pain killers & muscle relaxants? Yup, that's me. Addict-girl. And thankfully in recovery! Today I celebrate with 1000 days! One of the first people to greet me some 2 1/2+ years ago was a guy who was close to 1000 days. I remember counting them down with him. And how awesome, yet far away that seemed. And I am there. Praying that someone else in the rooms where I share my recovery hears my story. Hears my recovery. Sees my recovery in action. Gets excited that someone has reached 1000 days!
Some 3 years ago, I was in talks with my licensing board about penalties & help. I was also preparing for my third back surgery (yes, third). I was devastated that I was looking at treatment after I healed from surgery. What would it entail? What would the stigma be like? I was so ashamed of my behavior!
Although this is not a very good picture (last minute phone pic) this is who helped me turn my life around. Charlie M. He ran the IOP (Intensive Out-patient Treatment) I went to for treatment. 4 nights a week for 5 weeks. Unless you don't do your homework & then maybe longer! I graduated on time! Whew!
I went in to this treatment thing an angry woman. Had only negativity going on. I hated everyone for what they had done to me! Talk about not taking responsibility for my actions! Charlie is a gentle giant full of recovery. And lots of patience. He actually told me some time later that on that 1st night, he figured me for someone who would do only the minimum requirements for my licensing board & then I would be done. I didn't set out to prove him, or anyone else, that I could do more. God just laid on my heart that I needed to be a beacon of hope for others. I love my 12 step program! Not only for my 1000 days of recovery, but for my renewed belief and love for God. He was really the one who brought me through. I give Him all the praise.
It has been an amazing journey. Just one day at a time. No more. And tomorrow, God willing, I will have 1001 days.
My Mother, Jacqueline Lucille (Jones) Schroeder, was born on February 6, 1930 to Marian & Kenneth Jones. She grew up in Milwaukee & SW IA. She graduated from Mt Sinai School of Nursing in Milwaukee in January 1952 and was in SW IA for a visit when she went to a dance & my Dad, a 6'8" gentleman named Bud, asked her if she could dance. "A little" she replied. I've hear my Dad repeat that story many times over the past 10 days. They married in February 1953 in Virginia Beach, where Dad was stationed in the Army.
They returned to SW IA to live & farm. I was adopted in 1957. My brother, Jason, in 1960. Then in 1969, years after being told they could not have children, Tim was born! We lived in SW IA until I was 15, then lived in Western NB until I was 18. Then to MS where Dad took a new job. Then to Dumas, the year before I graduated Pharmacy School. They retired in 1992 and moved to the Hill Country of TX.
Mom & Dad traveled extensively, mostly via RV, but did take a couple of cruises. One to Alaska and one to Europe. They made many, many friends along the way. That has been evident in the past 2 weeks. More friends than my Dad can even thank. Many he doesn't know. Mom played in 2 or 3 Bridge clubs, painted china, and recently took on learning My Juong (sp?). I have made many phone calls to these people these past few days and the response was always the same. Shock at her sudden illness & then stories of how Mom had impacted their life.
Mom left this world on March 17, 2010, at home, with her family by her side. Mom wanted to be cremated and have no funeral. So, Dad decided the heck with the funeral, so we held a celebration of life. It was a wonderful service. The church was full. My brother, Tim, is in law enforcement and there were 20+ officers in attendance, all in full uniform. My dad was in awe of all the well wishers. People he had never met, but told him stories of how Jacquie had impacted their life.
We have heard stories from Dad, too. Stories we hadn't heard before. It has been a great time of getting to know each other again. We kids & our families. Time apart has made the bond even more strong. We haven't always gotten along, as kids or adults, but we pulled together these past 2 weeks. Helping dad sort through papers, pictures, and memories. Trying not to change too much too soon. I am glad my brothers live close by and their wives are beyond words!
Jacqueline Lucille Schroeder leaves behind, her husband of 57 years, Bud, her 3 children, Shellie & husband Ted, Jason & wife Kim, and Tim & wife Pam. A plethora of grandchildren, Amanda, Colette, & Heather, Nicole & Ashley, and Raine, Ashley, Garrett, Maegan, & Sydney. And great-grandchildren, Kate, Marissa, Michael, Cassandra, Stephen, & Matthew, and Cooper, who has a sister on the way!
Jacquie enjoyed every minute of her life and her friends. She was always on the go. We may not have been close the past 2 years, but the love has always been there. I felt it when she saw me in her hospital room 2 weeks ago yesterday. All the unsaid words in her eyes. I will treasure her last 3 days. I love you, Mom!
