This is Debbie H. here and today is my 30th anniversary of NOT DRINKING. It was 30 years ago today that I took my last drink. I was 23 years old and didn't have a clue as to what I was going to do besides drink. My life was drinking, drinking, drinking. I had only been of "legal" age for two years and had been drinking on an alcoholic level for 7 years. It was a month later I called someone and began attending AA meetings.
30 years later.......I am still here. I know I am a MIRACLE. Many times, by most people's standards I shoulda been drunk. Recovery is a process and not an event and in that process, I have taken many side trips in my recovery to other addictions......compulsive gambling for one.......I have had to do a lot of inner work on myself to overcome my childhood past and the consequences of being abused when I was a kid. I have no regrets today.......I am sober.......that speaks for itself. I am not perfect....I do not walk on water....however, I am better in life than I have ever been.
I have not posted here for a while, but I just wanted to share my celebration of sobriety with this group. Thank you all for listening and being a part of my sobriety for this day.
Many congratulations on 30 years of sobriety! That is really amazing. It's people, just like you, who have inspired me and helped me to get and stay sober. Thank you so much for that.
Have a wonderful day.
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Holy cow! That deserves an applause!! ... If i was Phil I would know how to put a big smiley face up clapping but I don't know how!!! (pretend its there) ... That is amazing congrats and keep it up!!!
Presto!!
-- Edited by Phil at 11:58, 2007-03-21
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"Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer but wish you didn't"
Thank you Debbie, Thank you! It is great to be reminded of all the wonderful possibilities held within the sober life.
I was a late comer to AA; living a diminished life, because of my willingness to settle for less in order to stay wrapped in my coccoon of booze, for 35 years.
The longer I hang around in this group, the more I realize what a WONDERFUL club it is to be a member of!
Congratulations debbie on your 30th birthday. Thats truly incredible, i get so much encouragement from fellow people like you. Im close to my first birthday and i have never felt better in my life. Thanks again may god be with you.
Sweet Bejeeezus Debs, you've been sober for nearly as long as I've been alive! lol Thanks for sharing with us. I bet it's like having a new life over again. That's what I'm hoping for me except to have more sense this time! Well done. Thanks so much, Dxx
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your congratulatory messages. I didn't have time to read the board until today and WOW was I ever amazed at the responses! I went to an AA meeting at my home group and it was a very small and intimate group. However, it was one of the best "birthday" meetings I have been to thus far in my recovery.
For some unknown reason, I was feeling very sad yesterday. I think it is because my biological family didn't do/say anything in regards to my sobriety. Just a bit of self pity here. LOL That has always amazed me as well. They take my sobriety more for granted than I do. It really does prove that it "takes one to know one." And in that respect, you all know one. LOL
Thank you again......you will all never know how much you have brightened my day today. Thank you all for sharing your recovery with me and welcoming me to a wonderful and loving group.
