21st birthday, past grief and future hope
one year ago today I woke up, face down on a park bench, with the worst hangover I'd had in a long time. The previous night I'd gotten hammered (as usual), had a massive argument with my girlfriend as everyone around us drunkenly sang Happy Birthday, and I ran off (apparently) to god knows where and did god knows what.
one year ago today was also the day I woke up to the news that one of my oldest friends had killed himself...instead of my bottom, it was one more painful notch on the way down, down, down into grief, drunkeness and oblivion.
this year, I'm sober, surrounded by friends who care for me and assist in my recovery and will not let this birthday be marred by the shame I created from booze. The pain and grief remain, but I'm slowly healing and I don't plan on ever looking back.
thank you SR and all of its members for just being here.