God used the Grapevine

God used the Grapevine to bring childhood friends back together.

Submitted to the Grapevine - June 2008

Rosemary was my sister’s best friend and lived in the house across the street. She and her two brothers, Barry and Neil were my friends in early childhood, especially during those tough times. Barry, my best friend, was closer in age to me than Rosemary so I didn’t hang out much with her, especially since she was a girl. We were the tough guys back then.

When I was thirteen, my best friends moved away to Florida, and I lost contact with them. My sister stayed in contact with Rosemary for a few years, but when Rosemary moved a second time they lost contact as well.

Now some 50 years later, Rosemary is living in Virginia and been sober for 20 years. She was reading my story in the November 2007 Grapevine. As she read the story, she was thinking to herself, “I know who this is”. It is the same town, same first name, and the same story about his father dying in a car crash. It must be.

The town I live in now was printed in the article. Rosemary did some research and found my email address. We have been in contact ever since. Turns out we both put down the drink in the same month and year. Coincidence? Don’t think so. God had been working in both our lives for sure.

As a result of the Grapevine printing my story, I am now in contact with my old friends. We may be scattered around the globe but we still email. So thank you God for using the Grapevine to bring me back in contact with my old friends from long ago.

by John L.