After I learned of his death, I was thinking about a lot of memories. When he and I first met at the John Bradshaw workshop, I had NO idea who he was ... didn't recognize his face. To me, he was a fellow survivor of child abuse and a Friend of Bill W. and Doctor Bob and we talked ALOT about the Twelve Steps. As our friendship developed, he became the BROTHER I wish I had all my life. To me, it didn't matter that he was a celebrity ... he was a human being struggling with the same issues I have. When I learned, years ago, that he had a relapse, I sent him an e-hug as that was the only thing I could do given I was far away geographically.
Now that he's gone ... it just HURTS!
Since he brought me onto Facebook, he has introduced me to his children and his children have sort-of adopted me as their aunt. I've been sending them e-hugs yesterday.