03/13/2026
The Yellow Brick Road (author unknown)
We are both on a path, the addict and I. When I think of this path, I often remember the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz. Has anyone ever noticed when Dorothy first starts down the yellow brick road there is also a red brick road? As a child, i wondered what would have happened to Dorothy if she hade taken the red brick road instead of the yellow brick road.
Well, I look at our paths, the addict's and mine, and being on those two roads - me on the yellow and him/her on the red or vice versa. We are not supposed to cross over to each other's paths. That would not help either of our programs, but sometimes our paths are so close together, we can hold hands as we walk. Sometimes our paths are so far apart I cannot even see the addict, and that is okay. The addict is on his/her path and I am on mine. Whether we can see each other or not, neither of us is alone, we are both with our Higher Power.
Sometimes I catch up with others who are on my path, or they catch up with me - other parents, other spouses, other loved ones affected by addiction. I know I am never alone. The same things happens on the addict's path, they may meet other addicts, some in recovery, some not.
Sometimes addicts may stop and sit for awhile - they may ponder - whether it is the right path for them. We can only hope they will move on, but we cannot pull them forward because we are not on the same path and it is not our job. That job belongs to their Higher Power and the time of it is completely out of our control.
Sometimes both our paths are fraught with obstacles the same as with Dorothy's with the Wicked Witch, the Flying Monkeys and the Poison Popples. How we deal with obstacles and how we manage to keep moving on, is the learning part of this journey. Sometimes we get help from others on the same path such as the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Lion in the form of experience, strength and hope. This helps us to stay focused and grounded.
If we keep going, the addict and I, we will one day get to the Emerald City. But, please keep in mind, even after Dorothy reached the Emerald City, she still had challenges to overcome, just as the addict and I will.
