October 10, 2008
One Year
So many things can happen in one year: Babies are born, economies crumble, jobs come and go, books are written, lives are changed, illnesses are battled, love waxes and wanes, Democrats win by a landslide (they will, dammit!).
On October 10, 2007, I decided to stop drinking. Â A small thing when compared to polar ice caps melting, battling cancer, or losing and gaining love, but a large thing when measured against breathing in and out, making meals for children, washing hair, and feeling things unravel from the inside out. Unsure of the next step, but sure that doom was imminent, I reached out to a 12-step group and found home.
Home, like I’ve not had since I was 10, a place of welcoming ease, total honesty, mutual struggle, and above all else, loving kindness.
Today I will attend my home group, a place I go nearly every day at Noon, to receive my one-year coin for 12 months of continuous sobriety. Â It is a coin I take to honor the efforts of all of the wonderful members of my 12-step group, my loving family and friends, but also a coin to signify the absolute miracle that I hardly ever think of drinking anymore. Â I rarely crave a drink. Â I never wish for the ability to drink normally. I can sit right next to people drinking away and hardly even once think “Nummy!!”
Aside from this miracle, I’ve been given a golden rope to cling to, in the dark, in confusion, and in joy. Â I always now have somewhere to go for comfort and joy and laughing. Â If I’m able to bring even a small spec of this same joy to my family and to the world, then all will truly be well.
From where I stand, I’ve given up drinking and in return have gotten the whole world.
****
As I complete my first year of sobriety, I’m winding up talking about recovery on this blog. Â Recovery is ongoing and it will still be woven in here, but now I’m turning my attention to becoming more environmentally responsible, more conscious and caring. Â This blog will start to document my conversion from green wannabe to green day by day. Â I won’t wear hemp, probably won’t give up my car, and won’t likely give up meat, but I will make small manageable changes day by day. Â I’d love for you to join me.
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Congratulations, my lovely friend. I never wondered whether you would be able to make it this far. You have my true admiration and respect for taking this on. xo
October 10th, 2008 at 1:28 pmI am so proud of the woman you are and the woman you are becoming every single day. I love you, I toast you with sparkling apple juice and I celebrate all this year has brought to you and your beautiful girls.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:35 pmHooray for you! How lucky am I that I get to work with you? Totally, and supremely lucky!
October 10th, 2008 at 1:42 pmI am so utterly proud of you.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:33 pmCONGRATULATIONS!! VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!
~Team Lyon
October 10th, 2008 at 6:39 pmCongratulations! I love the picture. How old are you? 24?
October 10th, 2008 at 8:50 pmI am so damned proud of you!! Many huge hugs from here.
Way to go babe!!!!!!
October 10th, 2008 at 10:20 pmMazel Tov on a truly inspiring accomplishment.
October 11th, 2008 at 12:00 amOne year! Most excellent…
October 11th, 2008 at 12:54 amCongrats. I am looking forward to the green focus.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:41 amGreat work! Congratulations.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pmThat is amazing! Congratulations to you dear friend!
October 11th, 2008 at 3:00 pmCongrats, honey!!!
So will toilet paper be part of the greening? http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/22/garden/22impact.html
October 11th, 2008 at 3:14 pmCongratulations! That coin is worth more than money.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:01 pmI get a little greener all the time; feel free to stop in at Compost Happens for another green mama.
Wow, it’s been a year? Kudos!
October 12th, 2008 at 12:42 amCongratulations. Truly. Peace and happiness. Be well.
October 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pmMany congratulations to you on this milestone, and also on all that you have accomplished this past year.
October 17th, 2008 at 8:58 pmYou are an inspiration!
Congratulations! I can tell from your picture you are proud and well you should be. Thanks for sharing an inspiring transformation.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:27 amI don’t know you but so very proud for you doing such a difficult thing. I know you will take the message to so many others by not even saying a word. Warmly, Patricia T.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:07 pmPlease keep me posted
October 20th, 2008 at 1:07 pmre going green are you going to start using one of those menstrual cups instead of tampons? The keeper or something
October 21st, 2008 at 12:58 pmCongratulations. I remember reading during those early days. I am so very proud of you.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:02 pm