Alcoholism does not cease being cunning, baffling and confusing just b/c the drinker abstains. It is a challenge for me to hold space for these feelings: relief, gratitude, fury, self-pity, rage, disgust, frustration, jealousy, love, kindness, hope.
The feeling that encompasses all of them? Patience. For myself, and for the alcoholics.
I should say that my AH is a STBX. I have patience for our feelings and the process. I do not believe in standing still, patiently, waiting for someone else to walk the same path to recovery with me. We each have our own path. I wish it could have been together, but oh well.
And LexieCat, I couldn't agree more that sobriety is its own reward. Expecting applause and approval for sobriety is usually a good sign that an A needs to check in w/their sponsor, ASAP.