Sober Blog

It was my pleasure and  honor to know Ed Mutum from Iowa who went to that big meeting in the sky this week to celebrate with Bill & Bob. Ed had 36 years of sobriety and carried love and forgiveness with him wherever he went. At 7 feet tall, his presence was unmistakeable at any event, but his message of healing through the program of AA was even louder. He petitioned to have the man who killed his father released from prison after many years behind bars. Ed brought him home to live with him. Many can talk the talk, but Ed surely walked the walk.  Who could ever fill his shoes?

I was lucky enough to be on the Way of Life committee and invite him to speak several years ago. His forgiveness workshop was well attended and a fiesty member argued with him at the podium yelling that forgiveness was no where in the Big Book. Ed softly took him aside after the meeting and tried to encourage peace in the man’s heart.

I also had the pleasure of having Ed as the Keynote Speaker on the Inaugural Halloween Gratitude Cruise on Freedom of the Seas in 2006. It was only fitting he be on the largest cruise ship in the world. Our group costume theme that year was “A Tropical School of Fish.” As we swam in a group down the Royal Promenade in the costume parade, Ed was the last one chasing the fish in a shark costume hat! He was a grand sport. He traveled so much to carry the message even though at his size it was very uncomfortable in planes and hotels. His devotion to our precious program was evident at every turn.

It is our loss and heaven’s gain, Big Ed. We love you. Thanks for all the smiles.

The church is in Bettendorf.

Visitation Friday 12-26 from 3 to 8PM at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home,

(Phone 563-355-1751)Funeral Saturday 12-27 at 11AM at Asbury United Methodist Church,