During his final months, James (Jim) Gibson spoke with the honesty that helps alcoholics maintain sobriety. Knowing he was dying of cancer, Jim agreed to share his life story with family so that his voice would be heard at his memorial celebration and as part of his legacy to future generations, especially his 12 grandchildren. "I feel good talking about this because I know it will end positively," he said.
If Jim's life story was a book, Young James would be the name of the first of four chapters. One of three sons of James and Doris Gibson, Jim's early years were set in the Depression-era hardship of the coal-mining community of Newcastle Flats, Alta. As lifelong friend Gerald DeSorcy recalled, "I confess that we had our first drink together, purloined from a bottle of Scotch and replaced with water. Jim and I later joked that, at least for him, it should have been the first and last drink."
The second chapter was that of Big Jim, so nicknamed by his children. This chapter was bright with his marriage to Maxine in 1954 and the arrival of daughter Heather and sons Kim, Kevin, Kerry and Kurt. Jim moved from his job as a milkman in Drumheller to his 46-year career as an insurance salesman with Sun Life in Calgary. It was also the chapter in which the darkness of alcoholism took its greatest toll.
After Jim hit bottom in the summer of 1985, his next 20 years were the chapter of Sober Jim. "To become sober I had to convince my family that I could stop drinking. That was my way to show I loved them and to become a better person, father and husband."
Jim maintained his sobriety with his faith in living one day at a time and by helping others find and maintain their sobriety. He believed in a God that "helps me help myself." He embraced the joys of becoming a grandfather and endured the travails of divorce in 1999. He continued to stand for quality and integrity in the insurance business. "I didn't always sell the big policy applications but focused on the true needs of my clients."
Jim in Search of Serenity was his final chapter. There were battles with mental and physical health while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sobriety. With memories of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings on the beaches of Maui, Jim used images and sounds of ocean waves to quiet his mind and find courage. When asked about the effects of his alcoholism, Jim spoke of how things were tough on his family, especially Maxine, but he was quick to talk about the only way he felt a person can deal with those mistakes. "Do it one day at a time and by giving and accepting forgiveness."
Surrounded by family when he died, Jim found serenity because of his love, honesty and courage. His life ended positively, as he knew it would.
Kevin Gibson is Jim's son.