Farewell Mistress Alcohol
 

Dear Mistress Alcohol

It’s six months to the day since you and I parted company, and it has rekindled memories of our long, tempestuous relationship that lasted over 30 years.

I remember the first night we met: I was 14 and my friends introduced me to your seductive charms. In fact, I was so intoxicated by you that night, that my bed was spinning, the earth moved, and I ended up heaving in the bathroom. Strangely, the following day, the first of our long, dangerous courtship, I was as so hungover and sick, that I vowed never to see you again. But you promised me the world: beautiful sunsets over the sea, starry skies in the bush, lovely people mingling fashionably in high places, the clink of bonhomie in lively bars. But whenever we went out together the sunsets were bloodshot, the stars were blurred, and the only clink I heard was that of broken glass. Many of my friends who fell for your charms ended up on the road to ruin.

Do you remember how I took you partying when I was 17 in my first year at college? You were the debutante who turned me into a drunk. I went to jail that night, young, innocent, and wrecked. But we didn’t split then, and it got worse. Waking up next to you every morning, head pounding, heart racing, hands shaking was a nightmare, and yet the courtship continued. Do you remember the night we went for a drive when I was just 22 and we ended up colliding with a Mustang and three other cars? And the time our boat nearly sank at sea because of the weight of alcohol it was carrying? Do you remember how angry I was with you the night Dave died in a motorbike accident on the way from the pub? And how my mate Jimmy died alone in an apartment after you had assaulted his mind, heart and body so mercilessly for so long? There were so many others who fell for your charms and never got up again.

And so it went on… until one day a ray of light appeared and help from above introduced me to a new partner, Sober Recovery.

I wanted to write this letter to tell you that in the six months we have been apart, I have fallen in love again - not with the delusions of the daily buzz you offered or the slurred promise of oblivion, but with the serene fragrance of sobriety and a full awareness of the present moment.

I have realized now that only by living without you, has my real life truly begun.

No farewell has ever been sweeter than my farewell to you, thanks immeasurably to my HP and my gracious, always remembered friends on SR.

Peace and love

AWOL,

That was beautiful. Very touching and poingnant. And it reminds me of many of the reasons I no longer drink. Thank you.

Thank you.

Nice one on 6 months sober too.

Increase The peace

(((Hugs)))AWOL and congratulations on 6 months sober! Awesome job!

Thanks AWOL,
Great post and congrats on the 6 months! :c011:

Nicely done AWOL. Congrats on your 6 months.

Thanks for the post AWOL...and congratulations on 6 months :)

D

what a beautiful post.
thank you AWOL.what a perfect thing for me to read just before i go to bed.
CONGRATULATIONS on your 6 months.awesome.
:)

Uh....W O W ! ........yes, that IS me......so very well said.....

Thank you and CONGRATS!!!

I LOVE it! Thank you and 'grats! :)

Congratulations, and thank you.

Nice letter AWOL, the parallel to a bad relationship is right on. Congrats on 6 months.

BBR

Well done....:funjump:

You've totally helped me tonight, AWOL. Thanks so much for the thought and heart you put into your letter, and for sharing it with us.:scoregood

I've often thought that slips in early recovery were kinda like breakup sex. You know it's bad for you, but some people just can't resist going back JUST TO MAKE SURE...

Congrats on your six months!

You are a wonderful writer, congrats on your six months!

WoW...

You get a standing O from me, AWOL.

That post is a testament to your journey: inspiring.

I'm so grateful to be a part of it.

Thank you and Congratulations!

thank you.

Thank you to each one of you for sharing your own personal stories. And, yes Beachangel, I agree that using tragedy as a platform for strength could empower many of us for life. The turning point in this difficult journey is committing hope into action.

:)

Thank you very, very much.
Beautiful post -