Thanks for this post, Alpha. I feel like we have lead parallel lives. I am 42 and coming to a new awakening every day as to what is really important to me. The other day when I dropped my daughter off at school she skipped down the sidewalk into the school. People always comment about her happy, light energy. My mom told me that I was like that when I was a girl. I realize that I let alcohol steal my joy. By numbing my feelings, I also numbed all of the happy feelings that at one time were a big part of me. Alcohol doesn't deserve the best part of me, any part of me.