(((((Jerry))))) WOW!!! lovely testimoney to this great program.....Feb 15th I celebrate 15 years of emotional (trying to achieve) sobriety in Al-anon and ACA....and like you, I thought many times of "chucking it all" I was too screwed up...Too damaged...Too hopeless...Too too too too and I just kept "coming back" something would beckon to me to come back...Like a moth to the flame...its hot..uncomfortable, and at times it burns my skin, but I still fly to that eternal flame of hope..........Thank you for sharing this

(((Jerry))) - great share and I am grateful that you keep coming back - your gentle spirit and honest shares always speak to me....goodness - I came to Al-Anon by way of AA....I landed in AA through a nudge from a judge. I had to return a few years later to a treatment center where it all began as I gave that poor counselor a 'run for the money'. I really, really, really did not think I was an A - had these pictures in my mind of what an A should look like, and it certainly was NOT a 25 year old female who owned a home, had a job, etc.

Nothing that man said to me helped me 'see' this disease in me. Finally, one day in total frustration with me and the 45 days I had fought him, he suggested that a 'normal drinker' probably did not have 2 felony charges from 2 different states at my nice young age....'that' is what gave me enough cause to pause and consider who I was, how I get 'here' and where I would be going if I didn't make some huge changes.

I changed my date from 10/7 to 10/8 about 25 years in - it took me that long to realize/remember that I arrived at treatment quite the mess, and certainly under the influence. When my sponsor suggested Al-Anon, I again had that demon of denial. I did not have a problem and I did not need another 12 step program. Out of respect, I did go and rejected the entire 'thing'. That changed when I finally hit my bottom and realized I needed something, and at least Al-Anon would be somewhat familiar. I keep coming back as I tend to get what I need when I need it....and I have taken breaks over the years, and the only person it hurts is me - I tend to lean towards those habits and behaviors that were comfortable before recovery and before long, it's just not very pretty.

So, so grateful for recovery in both sides of the house. I have no doubt I would be 6 feet under without. (((Hugs)))

Aloha my friend....

I don't want to put the cart before the horse, so I will wait until Friday to give you kudos for 40 years of sobriety, as by my figuring, you have "only" been sober for 14607/14610 days required to receive your 40-year chip. :))))  In the spirit of the program, I will simply wish you one day at a time.....

 

You are such a blessing Jerry.....  to your multiple "families" - whether that is your family of origin, your local chapter(s) of recovery, and to the one we know as your family here at MIP.

 

One of the many things I admire most about you, is that you offer us your substantial ESH often and always, and it is always done from a point of experience and love.....  But you also come to us in your time(s) of need, and use the power of "we" for your recovery as well.....

 

You are a keeper my friend - plain and simple.  I count myself as better off for having you in my life.

 

Tom

 

I used my good friend - Google Translate - to write you out a simple message:

Ua mahalo nuiiaoe, a ua hawi mai i mkou i n hoomaikai he nui

(You are very much appreciated, and provide us many blessings)

(((Jerry)) congrats