I can't stop something I did on a regular basis for 20 years without your help."
Yes, he can.
he might not THINK he can, but he can.
And he's going to HAVE to
because there's only ONE power that can help us stop.
And that power isn't us.
It may work THROUGH you from time to time,
but ... you get the drift.
As an alcoholic,
(I've said that three times already tonight)
I just couldn't let that sentence
go unremarked.
I'm certain you already know that as well,
I'm just backing you up on it.
He knows full well that I'll encourage him the best I can, but it seems he's asking for more...something I cannot provide.
Your intuition is correct on that one.
but as I said...I'm handcuffed to our past, I fear too much bad blood has come between us for me to forgive and move on.
Well said. Have you told him that?
In those words?
When I tended bar,
I said,
"The first time I tell you, I'll always say it nice."
The SECOND time ... I say it so that I know I've been HEARD."
And I agree your statement about this just being
a way to try and make you stick around.
Just an opinion.
Some of the people who post on this forum
are the most eloquent I've read
in a while, so I'm going to get out of the way
and let them post something for you.