I had the opportunity to serve on a Friday night last February at an event that I had wanted to serve at for five years, but before never had felt ready to serve because of my addiction.

I like to serve in the background as I’m not a out front take charge person, so I volunteered for kitchen duty. My shift started at 3 p.m. We started by filling coolers with ice and drinks, and putting out snacks for our guests. The next item on the agenda was to make sure the dining room was set and the serving line was prepared. None of this was too overwhelming as I had done all this before. But this was a special night. This was prom night for a group of special people, this event was “Night To Shine”—a prom night experience for people with special needs. 

As I said, when I had heard about the event in the past, I had wanted to do it for a long time. It got me emotional as I have a younger brother with special needs. When we were growing up I had been given a lot of responsibility with him and had a lot of resentment towards him. 

I was trying to be a good servant at the event and didn’t know what my Higher Power had in store for me. I was helping to carry food, show guests to their tables, bring drinks, and clear the dishes. 

When I was asked by a buddy of a guest to help a young man to the bathroom, I was hesitant for a second but then thought to myself I am here to be of service. So I guided the young man to the bathroom. 

And it was there that God blessed me with humility. This young man needed me there to remove and hold the flower on his lapel. When he was finished in the bathroom, I escorted him back to his table. I had to go outside to compose myself as the experience made me cry. 

I still cry today thinking about how God showed me humility in the form of a flower. Now that I’m recovering I can look back and see that my brother and I missed out on a lot of opportunities—for him to just enjoy life, and for me to see him as a wonderful person.