Guess what today is?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 185
Guess what today is?
The start of year six. Yesterday was five years since my last drink.
Very few people in my professional or personal world know how deeply I'd fallen into alcoholism. My recovery journey has been private and personal and quiet. I credit SR for being the community I needed to get through it, because a different type of community would not have worked for me.
But here's an interesting story, starting when I got a new job last year. It's a big one. Full of pressure. My boss and I have gotten to know one another slowly and carefully over the year, and built up a lot of mutual respect and admiration. About three months ago, he asked why I don't drink. He knows I don't because I don't hide it—simply, though, as in "I don't drink" whenever it came up. I'll smile along when others do as they do and tell drinking stories, but I have been clear and consistent that I don't drink.
So when he asked, he was tentative, because we are always strictly professional and he acknowledged he was asking a personal question. I told him, "I cannot drink. When I did drink, it got ugly, and I looked ahead and saw a road in which I ruined my life and a road in which I saved my life, and I took the latter." He asked a few questions ("What do you do on vacation? How do you unwind? Do you miss it?") and I answered honestly.
So: then. The last week has been a buzzsaw at work. He's seen me handle intense meetings, solve some impossible problems, and lead people in ways that are effective but clearly exhausting. On Monday, and then again today, I joked: "Today might be the day I drink again."
Tonight, he send me the most amazing text. He said he'd heard me joke about drinking, but hoped the pressures of the job weren't really leading me to consider drinking. He said he admired and respected my decision to never drink again, and I have inspired him to think about his own drinking. And a few more nice and supportive things.
I was able to respond, honest and true, that I will never drink again. That my joke is probably a bad one, because drinking is never an option for me. That ironically, his text came on the day that marked five years, and my life has never been as rich, honest, and rewarding as it is now.
It was a nice, unexpected, and perfect way to "celebrate" my five years.
Love and support to you all—
Still Finding My Next
Very few people in my professional or personal world know how deeply I'd fallen into alcoholism. My recovery journey has been private and personal and quiet. I credit SR for being the community I needed to get through it, because a different type of community would not have worked for me.
But here's an interesting story, starting when I got a new job last year. It's a big one. Full of pressure. My boss and I have gotten to know one another slowly and carefully over the year, and built up a lot of mutual respect and admiration. About three months ago, he asked why I don't drink. He knows I don't because I don't hide it—simply, though, as in "I don't drink" whenever it came up. I'll smile along when others do as they do and tell drinking stories, but I have been clear and consistent that I don't drink.
So when he asked, he was tentative, because we are always strictly professional and he acknowledged he was asking a personal question. I told him, "I cannot drink. When I did drink, it got ugly, and I looked ahead and saw a road in which I ruined my life and a road in which I saved my life, and I took the latter." He asked a few questions ("What do you do on vacation? How do you unwind? Do you miss it?") and I answered honestly.
So: then. The last week has been a buzzsaw at work. He's seen me handle intense meetings, solve some impossible problems, and lead people in ways that are effective but clearly exhausting. On Monday, and then again today, I joked: "Today might be the day I drink again."
Tonight, he send me the most amazing text. He said he'd heard me joke about drinking, but hoped the pressures of the job weren't really leading me to consider drinking. He said he admired and respected my decision to never drink again, and I have inspired him to think about his own drinking. And a few more nice and supportive things.
I was able to respond, honest and true, that I will never drink again. That my joke is probably a bad one, because drinking is never an option for me. That ironically, his text came on the day that marked five years, and my life has never been as rich, honest, and rewarding as it is now.
It was a nice, unexpected, and perfect way to "celebrate" my five years.
Love and support to you all—
Still Finding My Next
quat
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: terra (mostly)firma
Posts: 4,822
That is definitely one of those ‘makes your day’ kind of happenings , the positive human vibes pouring out of that experience made me feel so good , and I wasn’t even there !
Congratulations on your decision ! And as a direct result the awesomeness of your experience !
Congratulations on your decision ! And as a direct result the awesomeness of your experience !
Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 4,406
Just a great story, thanks so much for sharing. I made a similar comment recently and I knew it was so phony when it came out of my mouth, that won’t happen again. I’m proud to be “the one who doesn’t drink.” We are in such good company! Congrats on 5 years.
sober style
Join Date: May 2016
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 2,382
Fantastic story, really says it all about the new life that sobriety makes possible. Your boss is lucky to have you working for him, that's for sure. Congratulations on 5 years sober, Finding! That's where I am too, thanks to SR. 
Life Goes On
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 6,069
That's a wonderful story, FMN.
One of those "Is it odd or is it God" sort of moments.
I love those.
It's so good to know that you will never drink again, just like you never drank over the past 5 years and 5 days.
Warms the cockles of my heart, that does.
Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.
O
One of those "Is it odd or is it God" sort of moments.
I love those.
It's so good to know that you will never drink again, just like you never drank over the past 5 years and 5 days.
Warms the cockles of my heart, that does.
Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.
O
Life Goes On
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 6,069
That's a wonderful story, FMN.
One of those "Is it odd or is it God" sort of moments.
I love those.
It's so good to know that you will never drink again, just like you never drank over the past 5 years and 5 days.
Warms the cockles of my heart, that does.
Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.
O
One of those "Is it odd or is it God" sort of moments.
I love those.
It's so good to know that you will never drink again, just like you never drank over the past 5 years and 5 days.
Warms the cockles of my heart, that does.
Thanks for sharing your stuff with us.
O
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