WHAT THE HOLY CROSS FAMILY MEANS TO ME

I could not possibly begin to put down in words what my title is suggesting, but I will certainly try.  I first became associated with Holy Cross Lutheran Church in the late 1960’s as a member of Troop #383 of the Boy Scouts of America.  I learned a great deal about myself, the outdoors, the importance of friendship, values, honesty, and doing the right thing.  I eventually rose to the rank of Eagle Scout and  was a member of that troop when the present scout hut on the Holy Cross grounds was built; a building which today, has an even greater role in my life,  which I will soon tell you about.

I was raised as a member of the Lutheran faith, attending Emmanuel Lutheran in Lincolnton.  I did well in school, was raised with the proper disciplines and morals, and did well until as a high school student, I joined the Lincolnton Wolves football team and got my driver's license. It was difficult to fit in very well in high school in those day unless you partied, drank, and ran with the older guys.  At least that’s what I thought.

I did my best, but the use of alcohol, marijuana, and the lifestyle I was leading soon led me further away from my moral and right way of living, including my faith—even though I still believed in God and considered myself a Christian.  I just fell further into despair and hopelessness.  I did manage to graduate from college with a business degree, and was in the real estate profession for 20 years.  I was married, but lost my first wife at a young age to diabetes-she was only in her 20’s.  I eventually met another lady with whom I had a relationship for nine years, only to lose her at age 39 to chronic alcoholism. 

I seemed to lose my faith about this time, drank heavily and felt hopeless. I didn't believe that my faith was strong enough to pull me from that abyss of despair.  Then I suffered a stroke in 1993, and I tried to change my drinking lifestyle.

I was able to stop for months at a time, but just couldn’t seem to lick it.  Here is where Holy Cross and the old scout hut, which had played a big part in my youth, helped to save my life and bring me back under the loving protection of Jesus Christ.  Holy Cross welcomes the fellowship of  Alcoholics Anonymous and provides a meeting place in that scout hut. A.A. has helped to save a great many people, providing the support and encouragement they need to turn their lives around.  It helped save my life. I attend 5 meetings there each week, and feel fortunate that I can help others in the way that I was helped.