The Transformation of Neil Tibbo

Today, we have the inspiring story of Neil Tibbo.

THE TRANSFORMATION:

I guess my life started to go downhill with liquor when I was probably 13 or 14. I write it down on paper and read it, and that scares me. I’ve been hammered 6 to 7 days a week now for 25 years. That is awful. Plus, all the drug addictions through my life, I thought. I don’t think I ever remember my dad sober. Straight vodka went down for breakfast. Smooth for him as it does for me. The whole table family fights alcohol addiction going back as far as anyone can remember. However, my mom and younger brother are awesome. My mom never smoked, never drank, and stood by my drunk old man for 40 years. I call Saint Rose that because everyone calls my mom Saint Joan. Anyway, my life has been awful, but I always kept working so I would have money to buy more. I moved out of Halifax from the street and moved from home with mom and dad to get off cocaine in August 2022. I think I beat that battle. November 12. My dad‘s liver went, and his organs shut down. That day I hit the bottle hard until I walked through the door of Shekinah go. 48 days ago. So for nine months, I’ve been getting out of bed 3 to 4 times in the morning, I would have 15 to 20 beers in me before the store even opened in the morning, then it was vodka for the rest of the day. I was hammered nine months straight. I even ended up moving out of the house with my mom and sleeping in the shed. It was breaking her heart. She would cry herself to sleep. Then a family friend that came to Shekinah came to visit my mom. They were both in the house crying that I was going to die while I was in the basement smashing straight vodka. They were right; I was going to die if I would have kept going the way I was. I would not have seen the end of this year. Kathleen left that day around two and told me to think about leaving myself and go to God and come to a Mountain with her. Well, over a lot of straight vodka by midnight, I think God was talking to me because I texted Kathleen and said I was coming. I got to Moncton and laid on her couch for two days while she came to Shekinah go. I still was not sure why I came to Moncton. I was picturing Kathleen coming home from Shekinah, and me being hammered. Then she gave me a book. It was the book that saved my life. Cal‘s daughter wrote a book about his life, and it was the best book I have ever read. It changed my life because that book is what made me walk into Shekinah go. The book was entitled, like father, like son. This has been the best 48 days I have had in years. I pray, I believe, I am trying to make the Holy Spirit my best friend. Turning your life over to God does amazing things. To see a man from the men’s house or the women at Ruth and Naomi to change the way they do in a week is completely amazing. I know I have Shekinah go to thank, Kathleen, my special mom, my real mom. However, there are no words to describe, and think that I have for Cal, and Saint Rose, and their daughter. The one that wrote like father like son. I may never have walked through Shekinah if it was not for that book; I thank them with all my heart. I will never be able to repay them. They saved my life 48 days in Moncton was life-changing and it was all Shekinah go. Cal’s daughter is amazing; I hope one day I meet this woman. She saved my life. They have taught me how great God is; let’s go and get God.

What motivated me to share my story with others?

I am not a part of the men’s house, but the sober house is amazing. I was honoured when Rose asked me to do this. I love Shekinah, and I am here almost every day. I would love people to know it can be possible. It started with God then ShekinahGO, and it’s amazing. Shekinah prepares me for every day outside walking to AA and other sober events. Shekinah helps no matter if you sign in a house or not. The Shekinah ministry is amazing for the people of Moncton. They welcome everyone. I wish there was a and a Saint Rose in Nova Scotia because Shekinah is the best thing I have ever done in my life.