I did.

He was living at the Lighthouse Shelter for the homeless.

I had met him through the rooms of recovery. How he came to our community I am still not sure. We call him "Alaska Mike" because he moved here from Fairbanks. His demeanor is sweet and gentle inspite of his physically huge stature.

He takes his recovery seriously (sometimes) and his sponsor is a close friend of mine. I am still not sure if his affect is one of quiet intellegence or a dullness due to his history of excessive pot smoking. Either way he exudes trustfulness.

My kids love him! Being much like a kid himself, this 29-year old man fits right in. He loves to play video games, watch cartoons and swim at the pool. He acts like one of the kids.

As time passed Mike became an instumental part of my life's journey, but that will be another blog.

Was I naive to let this man babysit? Some people told me they thought I was reckless to trust him with my kids. That they could never trust a homeless, (former) pot-smoking man.

I pride myself of being sharply intuitive. A trait that children who grow up with alcoholism and sexual abuse hone early in their life. A protective sense if you will.

Being an addict doesn't mean that we're also dangerously abusive or a predator. While some addicts may be dangerous and reckless when using; in recovery we return to the person we were meant to be. Some may still be bad, but most are trustful, hardworking and contribute to society.

There aren't many people that I trust as much as I have trusted Alaska Mike.

It has been a trust well placed.