Dear Whom, 

I've been trying to write this letter for quite a while now, but every time I get two or three sentences into it, I never like the way it's going and I toss it. Still, I feel that I owe it-- for both our sakes, but mostly for mine-- to get this said once and for all. 

First, I don't know if you and I really have very much in common.  Even if you say you're an alcoholic in recovery like me, there's still a  great deal of wiggle-room for personal differences in our experience. Your moment of clarity or truth was, in all likelihood, very different  from mine, and your progress in sobriety is yours alone to gauge. 

So when I tell any part of my story or pass along some lesson I've  learned in the process of living sober, I'm not giving advice nor am I implying that you should imitate me. It's not my intention to set myself up as a teacher or an authority figure in your life, and what you might do with the information is none of my business anyway. In fact, if you just want to burn this letter, I'll be happy to provide the match. 

But if what I say ignites a spark of recognition in your gut and  you find yourself agreeing or identifying with it, then I'm glad I could  help. What I do hope you'll understand, though, is that it doesn't stroke my ego when this happens any more than I'm offended or insulted if it doesn't. Of course, there's also a request concealed in all this, and it's simply that you'll cut me the same slack in return.   

Well, that about wraps it up, Whom, and thanks for letting me share. 

Yours truly,

Cherubino

Thanks, Cherubino. You have a flair for noticing (and articulating) the absurdity in life . I appreciate it.