Times change... so do we... and that's a beautiful thing
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
Times change... so do we... and that's a beautiful thing
Tomorrow morning I head off to join my fiancee on the Isle of Skye.
I haven't been to Scotland in over 20 years. I don't really remember a lot about it. I do remember getting pretty drunk in a couple pubs with locals. I remember getting pretty drunk on whiskey with my then-wife. I remember driving past lochs and staying in a castle and getting drunk some more.....
Tomorrow though, I'll head off to Scotland with a clear head and nearly two years sobriety. I'll land in Glasgow and I'll drive seven hours north along a beautiful winding scenic route, arriving in Dunvegan to meet my lady and her family just a day ahead of her brother's wedding.
The ceremony will involve the passing of scotch and beer - both of which I'll pass on. Maybe I'll have a twinge of remorse or jealousy... but actually at this point, maybe not. Because for a week now I've gone over it a lot. I'm grateful for this life of mine. I'm happy with the life I've got and the friends and the family and the meaning in it. For my fiancee and my children and her son. I'm happy for this opportunity to go experience the beauty of the highlands - clear headed and sober. I'll run and I'll take photos and I'll write poetry and spend time with my new family at a special time in their lives and mine shared with them. And... I'll remember it all. It'll be a vivid and important experience, unlike so many like it that have been left behind the hazy veil of a muddled memory blotted and worn through with great gaping holes of blankness where alcohol washed them away.
Ahhh... how times change.
And for that, I am grateful.
Good night everyone.... good sober night, and here's to another beautiful morning to come.
This sober life is a good one... keep at it, wherever in the journey you may find yourself.
I haven't been to Scotland in over 20 years. I don't really remember a lot about it. I do remember getting pretty drunk in a couple pubs with locals. I remember getting pretty drunk on whiskey with my then-wife. I remember driving past lochs and staying in a castle and getting drunk some more.....
Tomorrow though, I'll head off to Scotland with a clear head and nearly two years sobriety. I'll land in Glasgow and I'll drive seven hours north along a beautiful winding scenic route, arriving in Dunvegan to meet my lady and her family just a day ahead of her brother's wedding.
The ceremony will involve the passing of scotch and beer - both of which I'll pass on. Maybe I'll have a twinge of remorse or jealousy... but actually at this point, maybe not. Because for a week now I've gone over it a lot. I'm grateful for this life of mine. I'm happy with the life I've got and the friends and the family and the meaning in it. For my fiancee and my children and her son. I'm happy for this opportunity to go experience the beauty of the highlands - clear headed and sober. I'll run and I'll take photos and I'll write poetry and spend time with my new family at a special time in their lives and mine shared with them. And... I'll remember it all. It'll be a vivid and important experience, unlike so many like it that have been left behind the hazy veil of a muddled memory blotted and worn through with great gaping holes of blankness where alcohol washed them away.
Ahhh... how times change.
And for that, I am grateful.
Good night everyone.... good sober night, and here's to another beautiful morning to come.
This sober life is a good one... keep at it, wherever in the journey you may find yourself.
That bell or bike person
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: london
Posts: 4,978
As you fly past blackpool gimme a wave 
A beautiful place to go and the weather up north is some sun and some cloud with passing showers , very pretty weather . Seeing the changes is nice .
I hope it's dry for the service ,
Stay strong ,
m
A beautiful place to go and the weather up north is some sun and some cloud with passing showers , very pretty weather . Seeing the changes is nice .
I hope it's dry for the service ,
Stay strong ,
m
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
thanks, all!!!
Off on my journey!!
In previous years, big long journeys like this would have been a drunken slog through airport bars, annoying the flight staff with incessant requests for more drinks, arriving at my destination an exhausted wreck and half loaded.
man, it's kind of awful how much of my life I can look back on and see a really messed up guy stumbling through it.
So glad that is the past!
Off on my journey!!
In previous years, big long journeys like this would have been a drunken slog through airport bars, annoying the flight staff with incessant requests for more drinks, arriving at my destination an exhausted wreck and half loaded.
man, it's kind of awful how much of my life I can look back on and see a really messed up guy stumbling through it.
So glad that is the past!
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
Free Owl
I know from your posts you are solidly sober living the good sober life. Please remember, "Alcohol, cunning, baffling, and powerful." You are going into the belly of the beast. Make contingent escape plans for all situations, cover in advance with your fiance that you will leave if you have to, be prepared for a recovery hang over when the event is over.
I speak from experience because my son got married a couple of years ago. I made it through it sober but there was a lot of planning before hand.
Have a great time but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
I know from your posts you are solidly sober living the good sober life. Please remember, "Alcohol, cunning, baffling, and powerful." You are going into the belly of the beast. Make contingent escape plans for all situations, cover in advance with your fiance that you will leave if you have to, be prepared for a recovery hang over when the event is over.
I speak from experience because my son got married a couple of years ago. I made it through it sober but there was a lot of planning before hand.
Have a great time but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
Great post FreeOwl, I know you have been thinking about this trip quite a bit, and I don't blame you. But you are strong and I personally believe you will enjoy the experience ten times more being sober. You are a wise owl, FreeOwl.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
