Well That's Different
 

One of my daughters has just phoned me to ask if I could pick her up from the train station, "it gets in at 9pm dad"

What a nice feeling it was to be able to say "of course, I'll wait outside the station for you in the car"

Rather than, "you'll have to get the bus Molly, there's no way I'm going to drink and drive"

I really can't remember the last Friday I could have picked her up at short notice. And even with a bit if notice I would probably have resented her for curtailing my drinking.

I'm half way through day five now.

Thank you to all on here, I'm liking this new found sobriety, I just hope it sticks.

That's great tufty, glad to see you are reaping the benefits of being sober. There are so many more to discover as well, enjoy!

Thank you!

Isn't it great when you don't have to worry about being drink? I've had those experiences too.

Excellent post I loved reading that & it keeps getting better

Thank you Soberwolf!

I can't tell you how much all the words of encouragement help.

I've been thinking about staying off the drink for many years. And now I'm actually doing it.

There's no way I would be on day five (and this a Friday night too) if I hadn't have found this site.

It's very motivating reading through these threads.

Fantastic post, tufty; enjoy your time with your daughter.

Congratulations on 5 sober days.

Also, I've just walked to the local shop to buy some spinach to go in my chick pea curry.

Leaving without a bottle of wine was a very different experience too.

Fantastic Tufty!! Great post!! :You_Rock_

Thx for sharing this victory! We can enter in...

Each and every day counts and it's awesome that even in very early sobriety you (AND your daughter) are reaping the benefits! It truly REINFORCES that your decision to get sober was an excellent one!

Fantastic job on day 5 Tuffy. It's worth all of the effort to no longer be controlled by our addiction.

You're doing great... by the way, don't just "hope this sticks". You can make it happen. You're doing it now, just keep going.

Well done!

That's brilliant, im sure its made u feel fantastic, well done on day 5!!!!!

that's great Tufty :c014:

D

I love it, Tufty. :) Nice work on reaching Day 5. It'll keep getting better.

Up early this morning (6am here) to make porridge for the girls.

That's different.

I'm taking them ice skating in London today and then on to a firework display.

And for once I won't be driving with a hangover!

That's different too.

Not so good is when I got home from the train station with my daughter last night, one of the first things she said to me was "have you got any wine dad?"

I told her that I hadn't; now that's really different!

I'll have the "dad talk" with her later.

Start of day six for me. So far so good although there were plenty of voices going round in my head last night when I was tossing and turning unable to get any sleep, and only some of them were mine.

That was a bit weird.

That's awesome! I have noticed I am more dependable this last year too!

Sitting in the kitchen with my daughters and one of their college friends and engaging and being present and coherent and interesting.

Rather than sitting in a different room with a bottle of wine.

That's different.

Being in a good mood and laughing with my children rather than nursing a hangover.

That's different.

Attending a Quaker meeting this morning.

Now that's REALLY different......

..........I barely recognise myself.

Some of the gifts of sobriety may seem so small, but in reality the progress you have made in a matter of six days is tremendous. In the end all these little victories add up to you achieving the life that you have always wanted. A life where there is no shame and you can hold your head high because you are able to do the right thing at the right moment with whatever in life is thrown at you.

Being there at the station for your daughter is fantastic. This sober life means we can be the parents we always wanted to be (should have been), obviously I'm talking about myself here as well. I'm with you on these victories, I'm a better parent in small and big and medium,....... many many ways.
I used to be drunk every night after my daughter was in bed (sometimes before she was in bed), thankfully we never needed the hospital at night. I was varying degrees of hungover every morning getting her ready for school, short tempered, forgetful, not listening to her....................
Those days are gone, I wish the same for you.
xx

It is really awakening again to the full panoply of your personality and your life. You are in exciting times, Tufty! Thanks for sharing with your fellow changelings here!

Thank you

I did just have to google "panoply" though. Good word!

I love words, one of my favourites is "psithurism".

I had to go and check your cool word out psithurism I like that now the sound of wind through the trees that's cool

Lol, gosh I hope I used my big word right! Yours is a masterpiece, though...yes, the sound wind rustling through leaves.
In Urban Dictionary I found this quote using it metaphorically:
" I love you too mother and family is a psithurism felt over time."

I went to watch some live music last night, a reasonably regular thing for me on a Wednesday.

I spent £1.20 on two pints of lime and soda rather than £14.00 on four pints of beer.

That's different!

When I woke up this morning at about 6.00am I was so tired that for a split second I forgot I was off the booze; oh the joy when I realised I was just sleepy and not sloshed. That was a lovely moment.

My feet don't stink the bedroom out anymore (sorry ladies, I know that's not a nice thing to read), it must have been the toxins pouring from my pores that were perpetuating an unpalatable pong.

Now that's different and most agreeable.

wow... this is great!!


oh... and "hope" isn't what's going to make it stick. Action is.

Choice.

And action.

:grouphug:

Thanks for sharing the great and small good results, Tufty...lovely to read.

Another day done and another day without drinking. One small step for man, one giant leap for Tufty.

I've been decorating my basement all day, it's been so long since I've felt up to doing all the jobs around the house that need doing - so that's different.

What a pleasure it is to paint with a hand that isn't shaking, my cutting-in almost looks professional. That's different.

Small victories!

I'm full of gratitude for everyone here. This place is amazing.

Congrats and Thank you for your posts. What an inspiring reminder of all the 'small victories' that we get back when we stop drinking. And aren't all of those the best part of our lives?? Connecting with those we love and enjoying life on life's terms??? I've had the pleasure of going to visit my stepsons who now live in different states and being able to be 'present' and enjoy all the conversations we had. The last five or more years that was certainly not true especially during holidays. Hugs,

Putting the recycling out this morning and not having to try and hide the amount of empty wine bottles. No longer fearful of what the neighbours might think if they see just how many there are lurking below the paper & cardboard.

Now that's very different!

I loved that too congrats Tufty