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Tempus Fugits... ...whether we're having fun or not, and what a difference a year makes ! So much has happened in the past year of sobriety, I just thought I'd do a little re-cap. Last year on this day, I was planning Thanksgiving Dinner, and we were exchanging ideas here at SR on how we were all going to spend the day. That was in the morning of November 15th. By the afternoon, I had taken a fall, and had to be rescued by some good-looking Irish firemen. Although the fall wasn't serious, and I wasn't really hurt, the fact that I was alone when it happened frightened me enough to convince me it was time to make some drastic changes. This would require detaching from my beloved heroin-addict son who had been living with me for the past 10 years and doing "his best" to take care of me. Son and I spent our last Thanksgiving and Christmas in our four-room apartment surrounded by all the "stuff" I had accummulated over the past 50 years. On Christmas afternoon, Paula (better known as MyThreeSons) paid me a surprise visit in the true Spirit of Christmas. She knew we hadn't done our traditional Christmas Eve Dinner, so she came carrying a shopping bag full of leftovers from their own family gathering the night before. Although it broke my heart to have to give him the ultimatum of making other living arrangements, I do believe Son knew that it was necessary for both our sakes. My biggest concern was what I would do with our 10 year-old Springer Spaniel. Lo and behold, during a phone conversation with Paula's husband, Frank, he assured me they were more than willing to take our Jenny to their home in North Jersey. By the middle of January, plans were in the works for me to be admitted to the hospital and transferred from there to a nursing home in South Jersey near my Sister, Mom, Niece and her family. January 16th to hospital, January 23rd to nursing home. Son had two weeks to dispose of four rooms of "stuff" and check into a rehab...all of which he accomplished with help of friends and family. It took a bit of adjusting, but having the pc hooked up by February 19th helped a lot, and I've been visiting SR daily ever since. Knowing my Son has nine months of clean and sober time at Lyons VA hospital has helped my mental state tremendously, too. Late in August, Paula made the trip down with her three adorable boys and our "puppy" which they had registered as Jenny Rae (in my honor). Although I don't think I'll ever be able to call this place "home", it's not all that bad (if you have to be in one), and I've been able to enjoy the beautiful courtyard and gardens during the summer. It's nice to be "outside" once in a while...something I hadn't been able to do for the past three years. Two showers a week are an added pleasure, too, since getting in and out of an old-fashioned tub was out of the question. I celebrated my 76th Birthday last month, and all of my family came down and made a big fuss. Personally, I would have preferred to cancel this year, but they surprised me...whattaya gonna do!?! So, things have been pretty uneventful until four weeks ago...when I got hit by the infamous Flying Shower Head, and suffered a serious injury to my left leg. One thing led to another and, after blood clots and infection set in, I required surgery on November 5th. The healing process is moving along, and less painful now, thank goodness. As bad as it was, I was lucky to find a good surgeon. I'm not really looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas "festivities" this year, since I won't be with my family members. But, then, most of the folks here won't be either. Just something I'll have to get used to. I'll make the best of it, and repeat the Serenity Prayer often. As my daughter often says, "It us what it is." How true. Anyway...thanks for letting me share...at least it wasn't a vent...just some thoughts on how life changes from year to year...good, bad, or somewhere in-between...time does seem to fly. |
Hi there Rae, Wow! You are correct! Alot can go on in a year.... So glad to hear from you..Happy Thanksgiving to you~ |
Thank you for sharing this with us, Rae. I'm so glad you are here with us. I think it's especially wonderful that your friends registered your dog as Jenny Rae (almost made me tear up!) and that your son is 9 months clean. :hug: |
Thank you for this Rae! Awesome and Inspiring you have been to me! Glad to hear the same about your son and your dog! :hug: |
Thanks for the inspiration Rae! |
Life does go on, doesn't it! I'm glad your leg is feeling better. |
jersey, thank you for posting this. hugs, and take good care of yourself EVERYDAY! :Val004: |
Hi Rae, I admire your honesty... I am glad your surgery went well. Thanks for sharing... |
Rae thank you, you are what serenity is all about, the world could be going to hades in a hand basket and you would still be able to count the blessings. You have what so many strive for, that ability to see the tree and all it's beauty when others simply see a dreary forest. Glad to hear of your sons straight time and that you are doing better as well. |
Thanks for the update in chronological order Rae. A lot has happened to you in the past year, and while I follow along with your posts, seeing it written out makes me see how amazing you really are! I hope I have even 1/2 your spirit and attitude when I grow up :). |
000PS! Forgot to mention...28 years ago today, I took what I hope and pray was my last drink. Original "dry date" was July 22, 1979...but, I needed a bit of convincing and had to go back to detox for a refresher course. Funny thing, a gal who was in detox/rehab with me the first go-around was back with me the second time, too. We called it our "post-graduate studies". We never drank together, but were finally able to get and stay sober together. Congrats to you, too, Barbara...wherever you may be. |
Hi J.N.! First of all thanks for sharing. It sounds like, on the whole, the past year has been a good one for you. I'm happy for you, and I think it's great your son is clean and sober too. And wow! 28 Years!! Congratulations!! That's very good. You keep on going strong ok!:bday2
Originally Posted by Jersey Nonny
(Post 1565035)
I'm not really looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas "festivities" this year, since I won't be with my family members.[/b] I hope your leg's getting better. You take care of yourself. Have a nice day. |
Thanks, everyone, for your good thoughts. I know 28 years must seem awesome to many of you...but, there was a time 28 days seemed like an impossibility to me. They add up...day by day!!! |
Happy 28 Rae!! :bday7 |
Wow, I'm moved and touched beyond words. Thank you for sharing. And congrats on those 28 years. WOW~~~:Val004: :bday2 |
I remember that mailing about the dinner plans, Rae ... I was very new here. And y'all welcomed me. WOW. you're right ... feels like a world ago, doesn't it? |
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