It’s called the Friendship House, but most folks in recovery call it “202,” so nicknamed for its address, 202 23rd Ave. N., just off Elliston Place.
And it’s a bedrock of recovery in Nashville, celebrating its 50th year anniversary with a big bash Dec. 14. How big a bash? Think giant-heated-tent and valet-parking big.
So if I’m being honest, most folks – myself included – were intimidated on their first few visits there to go to recovery meetings inside the white house. Ya see, 202 often attracts some street people and some folks who are drunk.
For me, that was all fear: Do I really have something in common with that guy? And the answer is yes, I do. We have the exact same disease of addiction. So it taught me – and others, I’m sure – the spiritual principle that I’m no better or no worse than any other people in recovery.
Besides, I’ve gotta be open minded to the fact that 202 really is where most other recovery meetings came from. The guys who started going to 202 – back then, a bunch of professional, well-to-do white guys – are the ones who started most of the meetings around Nashville that are still going today.
Here’s one of the coolest parts of the celebration: A handful of guys who have been going to 202 for all 50 years will be speaking Dec. 14.
One of the organizers, Leo W., has a mere 23 years sober. (DAMN! Impressive, Leo.) And he spent many of those 23 years going to meetings at 202.
“It’s probably the best place in the city to see newcomers who need help,” he said.
“There are people who come in and look bad. But a lot of us looked bad when we came to get sober. But we came to 202 and got our lives back.”
The festivities start around 1 p.m. Dec. 14.
Leo and others will make some opening remarks at 1:30 p.m.
And the big event goes from 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. That’s the meeting where guys with 40+ years sober will speak. That’ll be incredible.
From 3:15 to 4 p.m., the mic will be open for anyone in recovery who wishes to speak.
And yes, there will be refreshments, “of the non-alcoholic variety,” Leo adds quickly, laughing.
No, you don’t have to be in recovery to enjoy the festivities.
For more info, check out the Friendship House website: http://www.202friendshiphouse.org/
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