In Gratitude - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

SistersHelp · 07-29-2008, 09:50 PM

I am so thankful for the love and support of my husband and parents who have been holding my hands and drying my tears throughout this journey. They've been walking beside me every step and I am so lucky not to be doing all this alone.

SistersHelp · 07-30-2008, 04:59 PM

I am also grateful for the fact that my niece has done as well as she has in spite of having to deal with so many difficult things. She's only eleven years old and is a beautiful mix of innocence of wisdom. I am thankful her gentle spirit remains intact and pray it always will.

Rusty Zipper · 07-30-2008, 07:47 PM

sounds like a wonderfull young lady... SH

SistersHelp · 07-31-2008, 12:36 PM

I'm thankful to have found support here because it is helping me to change the lens through which I've been viewing my sister's addiction. I'm realising that it's sapping my strength to argue with her or repeat myself over and over. Instead I need to let her make her own decisions and then let her face the consequences. I'm grateful to be learning this so I can do a better job of looking after my niece, my husband, and myself.

SistersHelp · 07-31-2008, 11:39 PM

Tonight I'm thinking about how grateful I am that my in-laws are nearby and are supportive. We called them tonight for advice on a parenting-type question with my niece and they were great. So we're lucky to have them and I'm counting them among my blessings.

Rusty Zipper · 08-01-2008, 03:49 AM

grateful to be able to listen today

grateful to be able to take sound advice...

and grateful to stil have that openmind...

SistersHelp · 08-01-2008, 08:56 AM

(((rz)))

SistersHelp · 08-04-2008, 10:41 AM

I'm grateful that I have come to understand and appreciate my parents as a result of my sister's addiction. As a child, I wasn't close with my parents, especially not my mother, and I thought they were impatient and snappish and miserable people.

Of course they were impatient and snappish and miserable... but that's not because it's their nature to be that way. It was because they were stressed to the hilt struggling with my addicted sister, trying to get her help, trying to make change, trying to help her turn her life around.

I was a teenager and all I could see was that my parents were no fun. And they were kind enough not to burden me with all of it... I knew it was going on but not the seriousness of it all. I was free to enjoy my childhood while they struggled privately.

Now, as an adult, I share the burden of trying to help my sister change and of looking after her child. And I find myself, at times, impatient and miserable and snappish.

And I'm even grateful for that because it helps me look at my parents differently, to see the people they really always were. They are kind and loving and giving people who did the best they could with limited resources. And I'm grateful to finally be able to see that.

Rusty Zipper · 08-04-2008, 07:19 PM

SH

Quote:

They are kind and loving and giving people who did the best they could with limited resources

yep SH, thats most of the time what is the reality of it all...

grateful to that that...

SistersHelp · 08-08-2008, 11:44 AM

I'm grateful for "M", a counsellor my sister found at the women's resource centre. I phoned M to ask some questions about my sister's living arrangements and found M to be the most knowledgeable and helpful person I've met so far. She was interested in helping my sister but also not willing to coddle her. She wasn't like most of the other counsellors I've dealt with so far -- she was clear and direct and totally honest. In addition to all that, she said that while she will continue to help my sister as needed that I should also feel free to call her for advice, information and support in this custody issue. She also has concerns about my sister as a parent at this time and supports what I'm trying to do. So I'm thankful for M, someone who was willing to talk to my sister and see her side of things, help her as much as she could without doing it all "for" her, and still stick to her guns about doing what's best for the child. Thanks M, you've given me some more strength and confidence in my convictions - and that, I was desperately needing.

**Impurrfect** · 08-08-2008, 12:34 PM

I'm SO glad she got a good counselor that is on the same page with you!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

Rusty Zipper · 08-08-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

She was interested in helping my sister but also not willing to coddle her

the not coddleing department is the imporatnt department...

grateful for the right people, at the right time...

SistersHelp · 08-09-2008, 08:07 PM

I'm grateful, so grateful, that today has been quiet, peaceful and free from drama.

SistersHelp · 08-13-2008, 12:23 AM

I took the little one out this afternoon to have her eyes checked to see if she can wear contact lenses. She's shy about her glasses and thinks they don't look cool. Good news - the doctor says she can. She was thrilled. After that I took her for a haircut and she was so excited to have a new hairstyle and just loved being fussed over and feeling pretty. She is struggling with so much hard stuff right now, missing her mom and being awfully confused about what's going on. I'm so grateful that it was possible for her to have a happy afternoon that was carefree and fun in which she could just enjoy being eleven years old and focusing on nothing but her own sweet self.

SistersHelp · 08-14-2008, 11:22 PM

I am grateful that my sister is in a safe place tonight.

Rusty Zipper · 08-15-2008, 04:35 AM

(((SH & Sister)))

SistersHelp · 09-06-2008, 10:29 AM

I'm so grateful that my niece had a good first week at her new school. Grateful for her teacher who seems to be very understanding and supportive of her situation. Grateful she has classmates who have welcomed and accepted her and helped her enjoy going to school. Grateful this transition is starting off smoothly.

SistersHelp · 09-19-2008, 08:13 PM

Grateful for the fact that it finally seems we are moving in the right direction to protect the little girl through legal means. Grateful that the law may be on her side after all.

SistersHelp · 10-04-2008, 09:56 PM

I'm grateful that in spite of, or perhaps because of, all these difficulties, that the rest of my family is growing closer. I'm grateful for their love and support, and pray that the little girl will be okay.

Rusty Zipper · 10-05-2008, 02:33 AM

SH, good seeing you again...

grateful whats left of my family...

SistersHelp · 10-06-2008, 06:46 PM

(((RZ))) Good to be back in the gratitude frame of mind. And grateful to be there again!

Today I am grateful for the new family doctor who was so good with my niece and who made going to the doctor a whole lot less scary than it sometimes can be.

SistersHelp · 10-11-2008, 11:44 AM

Thanksgiving weekend in Canada... and I am enormously thankful for many things. Thankful that my relationship with my Mum and Dad has grown so much over the last six months. Thankful that the doctors say Dad's health is good. Thankful for my loving supportive husband, and for the friendship and support of his father, stepmother, and mother. Thankful that the little girl is doing well and adjusting to her new life. Thankful for our health and for our little life here together. In gratitude for Everything.

Rusty Zipper · 10-11-2008, 07:02 PM

happy thanksgiving SH

SistersHelp · 10-11-2008, 11:39 PM

And to you, Zip.

Nutmeg and cinnamony breezes wafting in your direction this Thanksgiving because I am also thankful for you, because you remind me to appreciate what's already right in the world.

Rusty Zipper · 10-12-2008, 07:14 PM

your sweet SH...

and smell'n the breezes!

thanks

07-29-2008, 09:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	In Gratitude I am so thankful for the love and support of my husband and parents who have been holding my hands and drying my tears throughout this journey. They've been walking beside me every step and I am so lucky not to be doing all this alone.

07-30-2008, 07:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 34,860	sounds like a wonderfull young lady... SH __________________ *Rule 62*

08-01-2008, 03:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 34,860	grateful to be able to listen today grateful to be able to take sound advice... and grateful to stil have that openmind... __________________ *Rule 62*

08-08-2008, 12:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
Impurrfect Social Network Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 18,348	I'm SO glad she got a good counselor that is on the same page with you! Hugs and prayers! Amy __________________ "I'm not where I want to be, but thank God I'm not where I used to be" - Joyce Meyer "You got what it takes you can win, today is your day to begin. Don't give up here, don't you quit, the moment is now, this is it I know that you can then you will, get to the top of the hill. Part of the fun is the climb, you just gotta make up your mind" - Shania Twain (Tinker, Elvis, Patches and Mots - Mouth Of The South)

08-15-2008, 04:35 AM	#16 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 34,860	(((SH & Sister))) __________________ *Rule 62*

07-30-2008, 04:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I am also grateful for the fact that my niece has done as well as she has in spite of having to deal with so many difficult things. She's only eleven years old and is a beautiful mix of innocence of wisdom. I am thankful her gentle spirit remains intact and pray it always will.

07-31-2008, 12:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I'm thankful to have found support here because it is helping me to change the lens through which I've been viewing my sister's addiction. I'm realising that it's sapping my strength to argue with her or repeat myself over and over. Instead I need to let her make her own decisions and then let her face the consequences. I'm grateful to be learning this so I can do a better job of looking after my niece, my husband, and myself.

07-31-2008, 11:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	Tonight I'm thinking about how grateful I am that my in-laws are nearby and are supportive. We called them tonight for advice on a parenting-type question with my niece and they were great. So we're lucky to have them and I'm counting them among my blessings.

08-01-2008, 08:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	(((rz)))

08-04-2008, 10:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I'm grateful that I have come to understand and appreciate my parents as a result of my sister's addiction. As a child, I wasn't close with my parents, especially not my mother, and I thought they were impatient and snappish and miserable people. Of course they were impatient and snappish and miserable... but that's not because it's their nature to be that way. It was because they were stressed to the hilt struggling with my addicted sister, trying to get her help, trying to make change, trying to help her turn her life around. I was a teenager and all I could see was that my parents were no fun. And they were kind enough not to burden me with all of it... I knew it was going on but not the seriousness of it all. I was free to enjoy my childhood while they struggled privately. Now, as an adult, I share the burden of trying to help my sister change and of looking after her child. And I find myself, at times, impatient and miserable and snappish. And I'm even grateful for that because it helps me look at my parents differently, to see the people they really always were. They are kind and loving and giving people who did the best they could with limited resources. And I'm grateful to finally be able to see that.

08-08-2008, 11:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I'm grateful for "M", a counsellor my sister found at the women's resource centre. I phoned M to ask some questions about my sister's living arrangements and found M to be the most knowledgeable and helpful person I've met so far. She was interested in helping my sister but also not willing to coddle her. She wasn't like most of the other counsellors I've dealt with so far -- she was clear and direct and totally honest. In addition to all that, she said that while she will continue to help my sister as needed that I should also feel free to call her for advice, information and support in this custody issue. She also has concerns about my sister as a parent at this time and supports what I'm trying to do. So I'm thankful for M, someone who was willing to talk to my sister and see her side of things, help her as much as she could without doing it all "for" her, and still stick to her guns about doing what's best for the child. Thanks M, you've given me some more strength and confidence in my convictions - and that, I was desperately needing.

08-09-2008, 08:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I'm grateful, so grateful, that today has been quiet, peaceful and free from drama.

08-13-2008, 12:23 AM	#14 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I took the little one out this afternoon to have her eyes checked to see if she can wear contact lenses. She's shy about her glasses and thinks they don't look cool. Good news - the doctor says she can. She was thrilled. After that I took her for a haircut and she was so excited to have a new hairstyle and just loved being fussed over and feeling pretty. She is struggling with so much hard stuff right now, missing her mom and being awfully confused about what's going on. I'm so grateful that it was possible for her to have a happy afternoon that was carefree and fun in which she could just enjoy being eleven years old and focusing on nothing but her own sweet self.

08-14-2008, 11:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I am grateful that my sister is in a safe place tonight.

09-06-2008, 10:29 AM	#17 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I'm so grateful that my niece had a good first week at her new school. Grateful for her teacher who seems to be very understanding and supportive of her situation. Grateful she has classmates who have welcomed and accepted her and helped her enjoy going to school. Grateful this transition is starting off smoothly.

09-19-2008, 08:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	Grateful for the fact that it finally seems we are moving in the right direction to protect the little girl through legal means. Grateful that the law may be on her side after all.

10-04-2008, 09:56 PM	#19 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	I'm grateful that in spite of, or perhaps because of, all these difficulties, that the rest of my family is growing closer. I'm grateful for their love and support, and pray that the little girl will be okay.

10-05-2008, 02:33 AM	#20 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 34,860	SH, good seeing you again... grateful whats left of my family... __________________ *Rule 62*

10-06-2008, 06:46 PM	#21 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	(((RZ))) Good to be back in the gratitude frame of mind. And grateful to be there again! Today I am grateful for the new family doctor who was so good with my niece and who made going to the doctor a whole lot less scary than it sometimes can be.

10-11-2008, 11:44 AM	#22 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	Thanksgiving weekend in Canada... and I am enormously thankful for many things. Thankful that my relationship with my Mum and Dad has grown so much over the last six months. Thankful that the doctors say Dad's health is good. Thankful for my loving supportive husband, and for the friendship and support of his father, stepmother, and mother. Thankful that the little girl is doing well and adjusting to her new life. Thankful for our health and for our little life here together. In gratitude for Everything.

10-11-2008, 07:02 PM	#23 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 34,860	happy thanksgiving SH __________________ *Rule 62*

10-11-2008, 11:39 PM	#24 (permalink)
SistersHelp Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 568	And to you, Zip. Nutmeg and cinnamony breezes wafting in your direction this Thanksgiving because I am also thankful for you, because you remind me to appreciate what's already right in the world.

10-12-2008, 07:14 PM	#25 (permalink)
Rusty Zipper Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: my room in ct. Posts: 34,860	your sweet SH... and smell'n the breezes! thanks __________________ *Rule 62*

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