Tis' the Season

The holidays are upon us! A time for family and friends to reunite, to rejoice, to be grateful for one another. It’s a time of flurries of snow and warm fires. It’s a time for PARTIES! For many this time of the year is full of joy. But for some it is a time of anxiety and loneliness.

For 22 years I have been sober. Each and everyday I am forever grateful and fully amazed for my sobriety. Walking the halls of the rehab, sitting in on meetings for thirty days, private and group, I never would have believed I would stay sober this many years. 

But I admit that this time of the year is still tough. Oh, that first sip of champagne, that first sip of white wine…what a cheerful way to get in the festive mood! And seemingly the more alcohol I consumed the more cheerful I became. But all that was a ruse. Memories are not ones of joy. The memories are slurred words, being unbalanced, driving  when I had no business to, feeling absolutely horrible the following day with a headache and nausea. How joyous is that???

“Tis the season to be jolly”…and jolly for me is a clear mind, memorable moments with my children and grandsons, moments I will never forget…fun gatherings with friends…a quiet night with hot cocoa enjoying a fire.

 Happy Holidays to you all! A time of blessed joy!

Time for a Tune-up

Last week I met with a playwright in New York City who is interested in making “Smell the Raindrops” into a play! I can’t begin to tell you just how honored and humbled I am by this! I guess we never know how we are going to impact someone. Here is a person who was so touched by my story that he wants to share it on stage.

His primary focus and interest is addiction, an affliction that “never goes out of style”. Every moment someone is suffering from it. Every moment someone is crying out for help, if only in silence. Every moment someone is walking into a rehab center or an AA meeting seeking relief, seeking life without…

As I have written to you before I suffered from alcoholism for a number of years…a silent alcoholic. It has been 21 years since I have taken a drink. But I never take my sobriety for granted. I still live life “one day at a time”. And I have also told you that the anxiety issues I had that lead to addiction I still deal with…that’s life. The last eight weeks I spent at an out-patient rehab to deal with anxiety. Yes, I needed a tune-up! And I am so glad I went through the program—hours made up of therapy, neuro-feedback, acupuncture, and meditation. There is a calm I feel that I had lost along the way. Days are brighter. Sunsets more beautiful. Every moment a gift…

Don’t ever be embarrassed to get a “tune-up”. I believe we all need it in some way. So if you are suffering from an addiction, an affliction, seek help—it’s out there!