10+ year thread
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
I just re-read some of the very inspiring posts on this thread, particulary from DB1105, (sober at 17 WOW!) and Laurie6781 who got sober at 22, the same age as me. My sobriety date is 10 feb 1980 BTW. We three have one thing in common, a lifetime of amazing sober experiences, way better than we were expecting when we turned up in AA in a hopeless state of mind and body.
And now we are getting on in years, but the fun continues. Lauries flying lessons are amazing. Myself, I am living on my yacht now, semi retired at 56, I am sailing with my new partner, first around New Zealand and then the Pacific. Fulfilling a life long dream.
Perhaps that is one of the benefits of the spiritual path, it has enabled me to dream, and then turn those dreams into reality.
And life continues to throw up its low spots from time to time. A couple of months ago I lost my best friend to cancer. I was able to support his family, and had some amazing moments with him in his last days. There was no thought of drinking, instead I seemed naturally to be able to be useful to to others at this time.
I had two other AA old timers approach me recently, one whose wife has cancer, the other going through a break up, and they asked me how I coped. With God's help and faith was my initial answer, but then I realised that before and right through the bad times for me, I was very active in AA, sponsoring and working with other alcoholics.
That line in that old book "nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics seems to be as true today as it was when it was written.
I need to emphasise that I felt no need to share my personal grief in AA meetings, I don't believe they are for that purpose. What I learned in AA and put into practice in my life is, by God's grace, sufficient for me to cope with these things.
So there you have it. Far from being dull, my life is full of adventure, challenge and new experiences. I've only scratched the surface.
And now we are getting on in years, but the fun continues. Lauries flying lessons are amazing. Myself, I am living on my yacht now, semi retired at 56, I am sailing with my new partner, first around New Zealand and then the Pacific. Fulfilling a life long dream.
Perhaps that is one of the benefits of the spiritual path, it has enabled me to dream, and then turn those dreams into reality.
And life continues to throw up its low spots from time to time. A couple of months ago I lost my best friend to cancer. I was able to support his family, and had some amazing moments with him in his last days. There was no thought of drinking, instead I seemed naturally to be able to be useful to to others at this time.
I had two other AA old timers approach me recently, one whose wife has cancer, the other going through a break up, and they asked me how I coped. With God's help and faith was my initial answer, but then I realised that before and right through the bad times for me, I was very active in AA, sponsoring and working with other alcoholics.
That line in that old book "nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics seems to be as true today as it was when it was written.
I need to emphasise that I felt no need to share my personal grief in AA meetings, I don't believe they are for that purpose. What I learned in AA and put into practice in my life is, by God's grace, sufficient for me to cope with these things.
So there you have it. Far from being dull, my life is full of adventure, challenge and new experiences. I've only scratched the surface.
It`s ok to stay sober
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central NC
Posts: 20,902
I just celebrated 25 years sober on aug 6th
along my sober way I have experienced ups and downs
like gotta life said.Life is gonna happen,no matter what.
I have found the best thing I can do is to try to help others
in any way I can and enjoy life as best I can every day.
I used to count my problems,but today I count my blessings.
My life has progressively gotten better.I was dead broke when
I came in,with many bills.I could not see a way out.I just
followed what the other AA`s told me and today I have a
small business with some employees.I never thought this would
happen to a guy like me.I am almost 59 years old and I am
slowing down in the working world and speeding up in AA.
I stay busy sponsoring others when I can.
One highlight I want to mention
a past sponsee ( Bill S ) was having many problems with his heart.He had cancer
and beat it,but those heart problems he did not beat.
There came a day when the Dr told him there was nothing else
they could do and his time was limited.He ended up in the hospital
and his daughter called me and said he wanted to see me.I went
to see him.We shook hands and held hands.As I looked into his
blue eyes,he said,are we ok?I said we are more than OK buddy.
I reached into my pocket and gave him a 20 year chip.It was
several months early but what the heck.
He grinned.He told he that he wasn`t gonna make it out of the
hospital this time.
His body organs was slowly shutting down and they was gonna
give him a IV to help him sleep so it wouldn`t be so painful.We
held hands and talked.I went home and the next morning his
daughter called and said the Dr was going to start the IV today.
If you want to see Bill,you better get up here.I went and we held
hands again as he still clutched his 20 yr medallion.The nurses came
in later and started the IV
He drifted off to sleep.After a while I went home,teary eyed.That
night,Bill`s daughter called and Bill had passed away.
I came to see my weakness and Bill`s courage because of this
experience.Bill faced death with a courage I didn`t have.It was
a privilege to have a friend like Bill,and to be there with him in his
last times.I learned quite a few thing.
I learned how important love is,and to not be scared to let others
love us or love them.I
try to love my family and grand daughter as much as I can today
and spend as much time with them as I can.
the code of AA:love and service seems to grow and grow
in my life and the clock ticks
along my sober way I have experienced ups and downs
like gotta life said.Life is gonna happen,no matter what.
I have found the best thing I can do is to try to help others
in any way I can and enjoy life as best I can every day.
I used to count my problems,but today I count my blessings.
My life has progressively gotten better.I was dead broke when
I came in,with many bills.I could not see a way out.I just
followed what the other AA`s told me and today I have a
small business with some employees.I never thought this would
happen to a guy like me.I am almost 59 years old and I am
slowing down in the working world and speeding up in AA.
I stay busy sponsoring others when I can.
One highlight I want to mention
a past sponsee ( Bill S ) was having many problems with his heart.He had cancer
and beat it,but those heart problems he did not beat.
There came a day when the Dr told him there was nothing else
they could do and his time was limited.He ended up in the hospital
and his daughter called me and said he wanted to see me.I went
to see him.We shook hands and held hands.As I looked into his
blue eyes,he said,are we ok?I said we are more than OK buddy.
I reached into my pocket and gave him a 20 year chip.It was
several months early but what the heck.
He grinned.He told he that he wasn`t gonna make it out of the
hospital this time.
His body organs was slowly shutting down and they was gonna
give him a IV to help him sleep so it wouldn`t be so painful.We
held hands and talked.I went home and the next morning his
daughter called and said the Dr was going to start the IV today.
If you want to see Bill,you better get up here.I went and we held
hands again as he still clutched his 20 yr medallion.The nurses came
in later and started the IV
He drifted off to sleep.After a while I went home,teary eyed.That
night,Bill`s daughter called and Bill had passed away.
I came to see my weakness and Bill`s courage because of this
experience.Bill faced death with a courage I didn`t have.It was
a privilege to have a friend like Bill,and to be there with him in his
last times.I learned quite a few thing.
I learned how important love is,and to not be scared to let others
love us or love them.I
try to love my family and grand daughter as much as I can today
and spend as much time with them as I can.
the code of AA:love and service seems to grow and grow
in my life and the clock ticks
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Commack
Posts: 151
We are still glad you have joined this thread and your comments are welcome.
Rough year for myself.
Over came some obstacles, while hoping to over come a few more. Not an easy year.
Bonus', playing with my niece who will be 2 tomorrow, going to a baseball game tonight (the team I follow is in the The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball-The Long Island Ducks. They made the playoffs, I am off tonight to root root root for the home team), amongst many other things.
Flexible Plans are a result of Flexible Minds.
Friend of Jimmy B
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 667
Thanks for bumping the thread.
I've had an interesting couple of weeks. By coincidence, I was asked to speak at a meeting on my birthday part of my share I spoke about my last one when I was drinking. Long story short, I was living on a bench in Washington Square Park in NYC. A woman shared from the floor that she was so and so from the park and I know exactly who she is. She's sober a year. What a great birthday gift.
A week later we had a speaking commitment at a meeting in New Jersey. I love going to that group because they're solid AA and I also got sober in NJ. I was sharing how my journey started in the state and talked about the halfway house I was in and my home group. A man came up after the meeting and he was in the same house in late 1981. I went in January 1982. He introduced me to his wife whom he met at the sober dance at my home group. They knew my first sponsor, his girlfriend at the time and now his wife and all the same people. We must have sat in meetings together the year and change I lived there. I haven't seen any of them for going on 31 years. Some of us are still here, some not. Some people, like myself moved. Some died sober. Some died drunk.
Why am I reconnecting with all these people from my past? It's made for some interesting mediation.
Oh and my old buddy Sal became a grandpa last week. Not bad for a couple of bums
Anyway, that's my story for today. I'm sticking to it. Y'all have a wonderful weekend.
-allan
I've had an interesting couple of weeks. By coincidence, I was asked to speak at a meeting on my birthday part of my share I spoke about my last one when I was drinking. Long story short, I was living on a bench in Washington Square Park in NYC. A woman shared from the floor that she was so and so from the park and I know exactly who she is. She's sober a year. What a great birthday gift.
A week later we had a speaking commitment at a meeting in New Jersey. I love going to that group because they're solid AA and I also got sober in NJ. I was sharing how my journey started in the state and talked about the halfway house I was in and my home group. A man came up after the meeting and he was in the same house in late 1981. I went in January 1982. He introduced me to his wife whom he met at the sober dance at my home group. They knew my first sponsor, his girlfriend at the time and now his wife and all the same people. We must have sat in meetings together the year and change I lived there. I haven't seen any of them for going on 31 years. Some of us are still here, some not. Some people, like myself moved. Some died sober. Some died drunk.
Why am I reconnecting with all these people from my past? It's made for some interesting mediation.
Oh and my old buddy Sal became a grandpa last week. Not bad for a couple of bums
Anyway, that's my story for today. I'm sticking to it. Y'all have a wonderful weekend.
-allan
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Commack
Posts: 151
Hi everyone
things are going ok here.
interesting night last night. I had to work so I showed up later to my nieces birthday party.
brother in law was bombed out of his head again. knowing fully how it is, and how i once was, i said nothing.
felt bad for my sister and niece though. he nearly ruined another event. no one would even talk to him, even though he did not act out inappropriately. it was just that he was sneaking outside for his drinks, hidden in the back of his car.
it put a real damper on the event and i wound up staying about 45 minutes.
made me grateful i am NOT doing that anymore. it's good to look in the mirror once in awhile.
things are going ok here.
interesting night last night. I had to work so I showed up later to my nieces birthday party.
brother in law was bombed out of his head again. knowing fully how it is, and how i once was, i said nothing.
felt bad for my sister and niece though. he nearly ruined another event. no one would even talk to him, even though he did not act out inappropriately. it was just that he was sneaking outside for his drinks, hidden in the back of his car.
it put a real damper on the event and i wound up staying about 45 minutes.
made me grateful i am NOT doing that anymore. it's good to look in the mirror once in awhile.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Commack
Posts: 151
Hi Everyone
I have been ok
hit a few rocks in the road that's life: person life, job
new job is blah, just ok, taking charge by sending out resumes
keeping positive as possible
had a great time on sunday celebrating my nephews birthday-he has never seen me under the influence and i can have high quality fun without getting high!!
doing the best i can
hope all is well with everyone else
I have been ok
hit a few rocks in the road that's life: person life, job
new job is blah, just ok, taking charge by sending out resumes
keeping positive as possible
had a great time on sunday celebrating my nephews birthday-he has never seen me under the influence and i can have high quality fun without getting high!!
doing the best i can
hope all is well with everyone else
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: C.C. Ma.
Posts: 3,697
Hi all. I don't often give my sober date as I for me feel it's boasting, JMO. Then I think so much is included with it and so many relapses I am grateful to the Fellowship of AA and all the people that helped me get here. It's a simple program for complicated people like me but one day at a time it's worked since 1/8/79 BFTGOG. BE WELL
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ct.
Posts: 173
I'm not big on "bragging" about my time anymore either. To me I'm just living my life now. I don't deserve to be on anyone's pedestal, but if it helps others to know I've been sober over 22 years (since July '91) or it makes my posts mean something 'cause I've been sober a long time and I know how to live and walk through life sober, then fantastic.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Commack
Posts: 151
thanks for all the replies.
i started this thread, not as a "bragging rights" thread, but a thread for those with more time that are far beyond the beginning years that have other issues to discuss then staying away from an addictive situation plus to assist and give inspiration to those that might want to hear how folks with significant time have to share.
i think sometimes things get lost in the sauce and taken at a very different perspective.
the sharing is greatly appreciated.
i started this thread, not as a "bragging rights" thread, but a thread for those with more time that are far beyond the beginning years that have other issues to discuss then staying away from an addictive situation plus to assist and give inspiration to those that might want to hear how folks with significant time have to share.
i think sometimes things get lost in the sauce and taken at a very different perspective.
the sharing is greatly appreciated.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
