And it's a fairly monumental one. It's kind of making me think about how many years I've wasted shinning bar tops with the sleeves of my coat. Not exactly something I like thinking about...I do believe that this will be the last birthday that I acknowledge. I'm pretty immature so I think I can get away with claiming to be younger than I am.
Anyone else ever feel weirded out over birthdays, anniversaries or milestones?
I try not to think about the number, but what I want for a present! just kidding.
Anniversaries are just another day. You can think about how horrible things have been but you can also think about how wonderful it is to have good sober times. And it is part of growing, maturing. Of course sometimes a little assistance is real good to get. I have found that out the latter part of my life so far. It works too. : )
Happy 30th Birthday, Tips! I hope you're spending it having a Happy Sober & New Day. I got sober from 29 & a half with my 30th being my first EVER sober birthday in my drinking career & I was so pleased & proud to wake up on the Day fresh like a daisy & able to just enjoy being alive. I spent the day with my family as it was Mother's Day too. I then went bowling with my flatmates followed by hitting a meeting with my Sponsor. I never dreamed in my formative years I'd spend my 30th in AA but I did have a hope from a younger age for sobriety that eventually came true.
It was always a dream that I had but I didn't know how hard it would be at times. I hope you're feeling hopeful too & really enjoy yourself today. We don't need liquor to live. Having made the decision to have exhausted that option I feel so glad that I'm leaving myself continuously open to living life in new, interesting & spiritual ways. You're not alone. I'm proud of you & I hope you wake up sober tomorrow too. You deserve to be happy, very happy. Happy Happy Birthday! God bless, Tips :) Danielle x
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Hey TM, Happy Birthday! You know that I got sober at 29.5 years old also. It's a turning point and time when most people start to consider what they are going to do with the rest of their life, plan for retirement etc... I think that you're right on time and par for the course, as far as your previous attempts at it. I started my quest for sobriety at age 27 and ran a muck for 2 solid years because I wasn't ready. And during that time and before, I did feel weird on birthdays. I look back now and know why. It's because year in year out, nothing really changed. I made no appreciable progress in any aspect of my life. Today, my achievements, year to year, are very measurable and totally contrasting to my pre sobriety days. The fact that you're noticing and caring is an indication that your tired of being tired of the same old stuff. That's what it takes.
I have an excellent long term memory and I know exactly where I was and what I was doing in January of '79. I was 19 and had a fake id that said that I was 21 so that I could buy liquor in VA. The age in DC was 18 for all alcohol, but the id saved me a trip downtown.
Tips, Age is a state of mind. I 'think' everyone goes through the "I want to be young" phase at one point or another. For me it was when AH upped and left...... Suddenly I was lost!!! (and felt very old!) About the only thing I really did and still do is became very up close and personal with Lady Clariol. Don't know though how long the old girl will keep on covering those greys as they seemed to have breeded more and more. LOL I got through it and have bounced back. And I laugh at work when those younger people are talking like I don't know what the hey they are speaking of! I love it when I insert my 2 cents worth into the conversation and watch as their jaws drop because 'the old lady' understood or knew or for that matter even did some of those things. LOL Serveral years ago there was a surprise birthday party for AH. Had it at a private residence and had a local rock band play. One of the guests was an aunt of a friend of AH's mom. She was in her 80's. The band played serveral songs and while everyone was enjoying the music no one was dancing. Auntie got up and said, "What is wrong with you young ones?! Are you going to sit all night and let this music go to waste?! WELL, I'M NOT!" She motioned for the band to fire up and let me tell you she could move!!!! I can only hope, God willing, that physically I am capable of being like her when the time comes! State of mind.....state of mind. Turn on that radio and dance around the room to celebrate that you have been given the gift of life! And may you be blessed with many, many more. Wanda
Tips, One more thing..... I sincerely want to thank you for lifting my spirits tonight. I'll be saying "see you in a year" tomorrow morning at a deployment ceremony for my son who is going to Iraq. My thoughts have been centered more and more on this deal as the time got closer so the holidays were not as joyous. Since June he has been here and there over the US training. In between when he was home he avoided me. When I did see him and asked about his trips all I'd get is "I don't want to talk about it". Yet......he would talk to others. I didn't understand. Then out of the blue a visit on New Years Day. It was sooooo nice!! We talked, I cried, he comforted, ect. It hurt, but reminding myself 'I can't control this', 'this is God/HP will' ect. helped tremendously. Your 'birthday' announcement though made me stop and think. I do not know what lies ahead in this next year. But I do KNOW how blessed I have been for every year that has been given my son. In my mind he will always be that infant I held, the toddler I chased, the teen that challenged me (where I got those grey hairs. LOL) Tomorrow I send 'well wishes and God's speed' to a man. Birthdays and age ARE blessings! Thank you for reminding me to be appreciative for what I have! Wanda
Hello Tips, I enter A.A. at the age of 42 and later learned, I was, perhaps, really only in my early twenties, mentally. I was told and believe that my mental growth stopped when I lost control of my drinking. I do sometimes look back and wish I'd started recovery sooner. But... that was not the case for me. I use to really get down on myself for all that wasted time, until I worked the Steps and continued to try and grow. That wasted time has turned in to an asset I can draw from, when needed. (I don't regret the past, nor wish to shut the door on it) Don't get me wrong, I still sometimes have a hard time with realizing I'm at the age that I use to think was REALLY OLD!!! But, I'm learning "It Is What It Is" and then I need to move on to Gratitude.
I could be dead or worse, still drinking.
Happy Birthday!!! Hope you were able to turn it around.
I spent my 30th birthday in a bar getting wasted and the whole bar sang happy birthday to me. I thought it was the best thing ever and the nicest thing people had ever done for me. Where are all those people? I didn't hardly know any of them. Twisted. Birthdays and holidays are difficult because they used to be an excuse for a week long bender. Anyhow, I am now learning what people really caring about me feels like and it is strange. I am 36 now and reading your post, I just think how lucky you are to be getting sober at your age as opposed to later. I think your sobriety might make this birthday your best one yet and the greatest gift you have ever received or given yourself. Just my thoughts though...
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