Communications of Hossein and Bill (Reply to Hossein - Sep 20, 2018)

The photos from the opening ceremony of “14 articles” were wonderful. Thank you so much for sending them. And the turnout, dignitaries, and book sales stand as a living tribute to the work you have done and continue to do.  I am very pleased that the proceeds from the book sales will support future research activities within Congress 60. That should be a great help in moving us toward the shared research goals we have discussed. My last book, Recovery Rising, continues to sell copies, mostly by word of mouth from appreciative readers. I have done little to market the book but one development is the creating of several book clubs where people meet a few times a month to discuss the book.
Please do send additional pictures from the summer camp and the athletic events you note.  I so enjoying seeing these and they convey so much more than just words about life within Congress 60.
I have rested up from the rigors of my recent travel and look forward to getting back to some serious writing in the coming weeks.  The study comparing NA in the US and Iran has been completing and the manuscript submitted for publication. I will send you a copy of it when it is published. I am no longer leading studies, but continue to collaborate on a few recovery research studies. There is also going to be a large addictions conference held near my home that I will be attending in October.  I have ceased participation in nearly all professional meetings, but this one I continue to attend each year.  There, I get to see friends and colleagues that I have not seen in a long time and stay current with some of the things going on in the field.
During my trip to Illinois, we were able to visit my sister with Alzheimer’s disease. This is an illness that has been progressing for her over the past many years.  She can still recognize me but speaks very little and it is becoming increasing hard for her to walk.  Her husband cared for her as long as he could.  She was recently admitted to a nursing facility near where he lives that is a quite lovely facility with very caring staff.  Alzheimer’s is such a devastating disorder and it is so hard to see a loved one facing its devastation. She has been treated with medications that slowed her deterioration but not its inevitable consequences.
One of the things Rita and I do for enjoyment is attend a series of theatre plays each year in a neighboring city. The theatre there puts on 9-10 plays each year between September and May that include dramas, comedies, and musicals.  Our first play of the season is next week and we are looking forward to it.
I look forward to our continued communications.