Carrying The Message Of Christmas, The Recovery Community Way

Recovery from substance abuse can some times be wrapped up in a singular statement: “In redemption, we will pay it forward.”

On Saturday morning, a group of about 30 from across the area arrived at the home of Gary and Micki Kaisenger in Langhorne Manor. Following steps and traditions created many years ago, there was coffee, donuts and plenty of hugs. The group came together to put in play the resourcefulness once many attending employed to get “the next one.”

However, that was not the focus on this Saturday morning.

The goal?

To pay the gifts of recovery forward in the form of the the spirit of the holiday season. In other words – be selfless and do for others without the expectation of receiving something in return, except for earning “spiritual dollars” as an elder of Narcotics Anonymous used to say years ago.

Children are the innocent victims of the choices their families make, however,  this ever-growing group will be bringing holiday cheer and gifts to open on Christmas morning for those children who have lost parents to addiction.

Last year, Tina Marie Grady of Tullytown, sober for 23 years now, with “her huge heart of gold”  helped two local girls have a special Christmas last year.

Grady enlisted the help of all she knew, including a host of first responders from the area, in order to bring Christmas joy to those girls.

Grady is one of the “doers” in the area. Grady doesn’t talk it, she does it, which is another one of those recovery principles so often shared in the basements of local churches.

No child would suffer an itch if it were up to her.

Grady saw a social media post on the Emile House Sober Living page and from there she was “all in.” The Emilie House is a for profit recovery home the Kaisenger’s own and operate

For the past couple of years, the Kaisenger’s have helped children who have a connection to the recovery houses they run in Levittown. All together, there are five they run.

The Kaisengers in September became a part of the state’s Recovery House Task Force because of their commitment to community and leadership, officials said at the press conference.

Saturday proved their commitment to community and leadership once again.

Gary Kaisenger said Micki Kaisenger asked what they could do this year to help. “Whatever you want to do I’m all in,” he said in his retelling of the conversation.

Inside the couple’s home, a circle of chairs quickly filled up with people from all walks of life. The group talked of what steps needed to be taken before the tentative delivery dates were to be made official.

Shannon Trainor had a family member pass before Christmas and feared a young boy in the family would not only lose his mother but what is a supposed to be the best part of the year for kids.

“I just couldn’t let that happen,” Trainor, now sober for over four years, said. While she spoke she had to stop and take a breath for every word that mournfully came off her lips.

She took a breath.

“They are so amazing aren’t they?” she said after explaining how she reached out to the Kaisenger’s. She added that words cannot describe her feeling for them and what they have done for her in rebirth.

“There was a time where I was stealing Christmas presents” she said.

“For me to be here, for my kids, and the kids in need is very important to me. It means a lot,” she said, taking a breath again, as tidal waves of raw emotion sought expression in Trainor’s eyes.

The gathering started and had what is typical for those in the recovery community; the meeting before the meeting, the  meeting itself and then the meeting after the meeting.

Plenty was accomplished as the group set up a mini Santa’s workshop of tasks to be completed before gifts could be delivered.

In the living room, one crew exchanged information on who is responsible for the growing list of  locations where gift collection boxes are being placed throughout the area.

Another small group broke out and wrapped gifts donated already and yet another addressed deadlines and who else to reach out to for help and resources.

The eight and ninth steps of recovery direct those to consider others and make amends for the past. For many on Saturday, they were working on the spirit of those tasks in recovery

Katrina Keller, 33, of Yardley, and a Emile House alumni sat with her infant daughter Lilly during the meeting. She fought the waves of reminiscing grief she’ s been going through for herself and daughter.

The disease took Lilly’s father from her before she was born, Keller said.

“Doing this Christmas drive for kids who have lost parents to this disease means so much to me,” she said. “Anytime I can do anything for any child who has lost due addiction I do all I can.”

“It was mind blowing sitting in that room today… I had tears in my eyes from the start,” she said describing those in her  family getting involved and helping the toy drive in any way they can.

Keller has been sober now for over four years. She currently mentors other woman seeking escape and wanting recovery. One of the many reasons she came to the Kasinerger’s that Saturday.

Now the group will carry the message of Christmas to children who have suffered loss at the hands of addiction from a community simply looking to do the next right thing.

Grady on the car ride home from Langhorne Manor get together was overcome with pride at the response and more so the boys and girls who will now have Christmas gifts.

“It’s all about the kids and for them,” she said driving under a sun drenched sky at Route 413 and Durham Road.

There can he no higher calling this time of year.

Click here for a complete list of Gift Drop Off Locations. The deadline for donating is December 13.

LevittownNow will be on hand for the special day when the toys are distributed to the area’s children.