What an Eye Opener.
 

Ok, I need to put this on here. Maybe it will help some of you gain the perspective I just gained.

I went to dinner at my mother in laws house. She is in the midst of getting a divorce and its not pretty. Her husband of 20 years has always been the bread winner and he is trying to make sure she doesnt get much money, or he is at least making it a living hell for her to get it. The worst thing is he is bringing their kids in the middle of it. He is telling them all these horrible things about her and pitting them against her. He is even trying to convince them to testify against her in court. I am speechless. I am very close to calling him and letting him know that he is very close to not seeing his grandchildren out of fear he might try to poison their heads with the same BS. I pulled my mother in law aside and told her that I have been sober for 2 weeks now and that I am mentally back to the way I once was and that if she needed me at any time to call. Even late at night since I wont be too drunk to be there for her. Anyway, this opened my eyes to how thankful I need to be for my wife and out great marriage. I asked her in the car if by me not drinking I eliminated the only thing we ever had differences about and she said yes. I figure if all I have to do to keep a happy marriage is continue being the man I am and quit drinking, I got it made.

A second thing happened tonight. My wife's cousin came over and her daughter has Leukemia. Her daughter is the same age as my second daughter, 3. She is going through Chemotherapy and will have to have a bunch of radiation done. This made me think how thankful I need to be that I have 3 perfect children with no health problems. It made me realize that everyday I am alive is another day that I can spend with them. It made me realize that all alcohol does is increase the chances of me not being here for them, both physically as well as mentally.

Both of these things made me realize how short life is and how you really need to thank God, Allah, the spirit which moves through all things, etc.... for your health, family, and well being. I can tell you from this moment on, I will thank some higher power for what I have as some dont have the happiness I was taking for granted every day.

I hope this quick story has motivated some of you the way it motivated me. I love you all and lets keep this sobriety thing going.

Chris

Gratitude keeps me humble....:yup:

Blessings to you and your family
:hug:

I so know how you feel.

My daughter broke her collar bone on Friday and my Mommy instinct kicked right in. I would never have been able to listen to that two years ago. I got her to the ER in record time, got her treated, medicated and out of there in three hours. My husband has back problems and I've been able to keep up with the house stuff and do most of the cleaning to get it ready to show (we're transferring in July). It feels so good, doesn't it? I love that people can count on me now. It makes me feel so good.

Sobriety really does Rock!

Isn't it great to be available 24/7.
" 1 day at a time"

hey C23,

What a great attitude to have. I'm with ya on this one. Earlier today, after struggling with intense cravings, I went to get a glass of milk outta the fridge, when the same feeling overtook me, I have tons to be grateful for. My cravings went out of my left ear, or maybe it was the right, who knows but they left. I think cravings cannot coexist with gratitude.

Thanks for the upbeat message.

I know for me I get so caught up in my own BS that I forget to be grateful for what is good in my life.
I may not have much. I may not everything I want. But I have everything I need. And then some.

Thanks for the reminder.

It is very humbling to know this.

That's a great story. When we are aware and have clarity we handle situations with precision, without added thought, by doing the right thing.

Then resting in gratitude is the icing on the cake.

There is quote from the promises in the Big Book that states, "You will be able to handle situations that used to baffle you."

I really like that particular promise, as I'm definitely over being baffled.

Great job, Chris. Mom has got a champion on her side.

:You_Rock_

Donna

I too am grateful I am living without alcohol to mess everything up. I don't have to worry about situations coming up and being too drunk to react properly. Sobriety rocks!

great post..I am so grateful for each minute, life is precious.

When I was drinking, I didn't really want to die, but I didn't really want to live either. I was in no man's land, but since I've started learning how to live a through the day without a drink, life sure feels like a blessing more and more. I don't have to squint when I wake up, those black circles under my eyes are gone, (the wrinkles are still there, d*mn, lol) and my head isn't pounding all the time. These are just a couple of the countless gifts we receive from not drowning our lives in a sea of booze anymore. Plus, I've still got my teeth, lol.

thanks C23, that's good to hear. That you're thankful I mean.

I have to say I've been through that type of divorce and my kids were only 5 and 7. I can't believe I was married to such a monster. The point I want to make is that my family knew how bad I was hurting and were still nice to him. It hurt. Bad. They still do it. It can get nasty.