Almost Lost Read Online Free Page B

as you want and make notes if you’d like or, if there is anything too personal or that might be painful to yourself or others, feel free to come back here to check out your tape and go over it in our little private Listening Room. It used to be a storage area, but now it’s a cozy place for you to listen again to yourself as well as to me.”
    â€œBe sure I will use it! On my lunch hours if that’s okay.”
    â€œYou might want to call before you come to see if the Listening Room is in use, or to make a reservation. I’m sure you’ll find rehearing and contemplatingwhat we’ve said on your tape will be an added support system—and at no extra cost.”
    â€œWhen I came here I had no idea I was going to go home trying to work on myself and my new positive attitude .”
    â€œThat is an important concept! Most people don’t realize how contagious attitudes are; negative ones can flit through a home, an office, a school, a community, faster than measles, the flu, or even the common cold, often with very serious and possibly permanent repercussions.”
    â€œI can’t wait to get home and start using positive therapy on Dana and Dorie. And soon, oh, I do hope soon, on Sammy. I know he will come home, and I can wait a while. When I came in here I thought I couldn’t, but I can and I will .”
    SUMMARY OF SESSION
    Paula Gordon’s pain has been somewhat relieved. She has been given three concepts to work on: 1. Set 1-Relaxation; 2. Discomfort Rating; 3. Sometimes Me-First .
    Three months and nineteen days later
    Tuesday, July 26
    As I was leaving my office, a dirty, unkempt teenager arose from the bottom step and started toward me. I felt my muscles tense and took a tighter grip on my purse and briefcase. When I was just one step above the boy, he spoke softly.
    â€œRemember me? I’m Sammy Gordon.”
    He was so thin and sickly-looking I hardly recognized him.
    â€œI guess you don’t have any time…and I don’t have any money and…” He turned to leave.
    I put my arm around his shoulder and guided him back into the building. “I’m happier than you’ll ever know just to see you’re still—around!”
    His embarrassed almost-smile told me we had connected.
    Samuel Gordon Chart
    Tuesday, July, 26, 5:45 P.M.
    Freebie Session
Second Visit
SAMUEL (SAMMY) GORDON, 15 years old
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    â€œSammy, I’m really, truly glad you’re home.”
    â€œI haven’t gone…home. I…I don’t know if Mom would let me in.”
    â€œI think she would.”
    â€œBut you don’t know where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing for the past…who knows how long.”
    â€œI’m positive your mom knows to the day and the hour.”
    Sammy took such a deep breath it was like he was trying to inhale the universe. “Do you think sometimes people can get a second chance?”
    â€œDo I think birds can fly?”
    â€œBut I’ve done things I’m really ashamed of…things I’d never want Mom to know about, and especially never, ever, ever my two little sisters.”
    â€œSo? What’s wrong with wiping the slate clean and starting over?”
    â€œWith me it would be more like starting UP, and…I mean from the very, very, bottom! ”
    â€œEveryone has to start someplace.”
    â€œBut I’ve done everything…everything!”
    â€œNot EVERYTHING, dear Sammy. You didn’t ‘blow out your candle.’ I’m so happy for you and so proud of you, for that.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYes, really!”
    â€œDo you think my mom could forgive me, too…and…” A stricken, heartbroken look crept over his tense face.
    â€œAnd who?”
    â€œGod?” (He more mouthed the word than said it.)
    â€œHave you ever heard the story of the prodigal son from the Bible?”
    â€œYeah, I learned it when I was little and