“Michael, I met a man this weekend. He has been married twice and has just separated from his wife. He’s had alcohol problems. But I have this sense that I should call him. It seems weird don’t you think?” – Lilly Gwillam
November 10, 1990 I was with my friend, Ed Caldwell, who helped me quit drinking at my intervention. We were attending the annual CTLA convention in La Jolla, California; the trial lawyers were having a special late-night candlelight ceremony for those in recovery.
There were five of us who knew each other well in attendance. Steve Pingel, a good lawyer and a friend, was there with a woman. During the ceremony, each of us talked about our experiences drinking and where we were now.
I talked about the reason I left Liz, leaving her with integrity, and how I felt the Universe would take care of me. When I was finished, the mystery woman spoke up:
“Gary I just want to tell you that I really appreciate your integrity. So many men leave their marriages for another woman. You left because you knew it was the right thing. . . I really wish you the best and simply wanted to say that.”
