Many people who have problems with illegal drugs and alcohol choose to attend a 12-step program that could be the road their recovery. One of the steps is to make a list of all the people they have harmed and to make amends.

In 1980, I participated in such a group while battling with alcoholism. When I made my list, it was pretty long. Most of the people on my list lived in my community and could be easily contacted.

However, one of the people was a girl I went to school with who had moved from the area after getting married. In 1951, this young lady was a maid in the school’s Carnival ball. It was a tradition that each maid was given five call-outs and would select five people to dance with her. I was one of the people she asked, and I accepted.

As the time drew closer to the dance, I became very nervous. I not only didn’t like to dance; I didn’t know how.

The night finally arrived with me all dressed up, wishing I could disappear. One of my friends told me maybe if I had a couple of drinks, I would fell better and more relaxed. I took his advice but didn’t settle for a few drinks. I got drunk and didn’t even enter the gym. That night, I felt bad for what I had done and even worse the next morning. I avoided the girl after that and never apologized.

Over the years, that incident kept coming back to haunt me. A few years ago, I decided to find out where she lived. I got her phone number and called her. It had been 50 years since that February night when I stood up an innocent, young lady who had honored me with a call-out.

When she answered the phone, I identified myself. She said, “Harold, what a surprise!” “It’s been a long time,” I said, “and this call is long overdue.” I asked if she remembered that Carnival ball night. She assured me she did. I then told her I was so sorry and asked for her forgiveness. Her immediate response was, “I always wondered why you hurt me.” She then forgave me.

I explained to her what had happened. We spoke for quite a while and shared a little about our families. It was a great feeling to finally make amends after such a long time. This proves it’s never too late to right a wrong.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, La 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.