Gratefulness

Today I have 6 months of sobriety. I have struggled with alcohol and abuse of prescription drugs off and on since 1997. I have had periods of some sobriety - but never complete and total sobriety. I entered treatment on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 and I thought my life was over. How was I to know it was just beginning?

I have not felt this well and this happy in a very long time. And I owe gratefulness to so many. I owe a large measure of it to those at the treatment facility who held me as I struggled in those early days of detox. I owe a great amount to the counselors and technicians who taught me the things that were necessary for sobriety and kept me from walking away when it got hard. I owe much to friends who have stood by me through everything and have encouraged me and prayed for me. I owe more than I could ever repay to my husband and my family, who were so hurt and bewildered by my choices, but who chose to love me in spite of myself. I owe a debt so large to my wonderful sponsor, who has helped me work the steps and has kept me honest and accountable. Without her, I would not succeed.

Most of all, I owe everything to my Lord and Savior, the only real higher power - Jesus Christ. He gave himself up for me. He died to save me from my sins and he is lovingly restoring me to fullness of life.

I am grateful today for six hard, wonderful, terrible, beautiful, months. I am grateful to be truly clean and sober and to be loving life.

Thanks for listening. Caro