I woke up this morning and realized that for 105 months I’ve not used drugs nor alcohol.
Suddenly all the days become weeks, weeks become months and it just keeps getting better, clearer.

No, it hasn’t been easy. My mother passed away, after being neglected at a frail care nursing home.
I was very ill last year and Renate Netzel, my dearest friend passed away next to me from melanoma cancer. She’d enjoyed over 10 years of sobriety! She recreated a purposeful life that touched and created a healing space, which helped heal many alcoholics and addicts. She left a legacy of love. Of hope. She was kindness personified.

Here’s the thing; because I am clean and sober it was all about being there for them, when at their most vulnerable. The gift I gave was comfort, compassion and all my attention. Unconditional love. Present love.

I’ve seen too many drug and alcohol related deaths, sick addicts and alcoholics who are suffering so much that they pray for the relief of death.

I was there, in that agonizing abyss, a couple of times in active addiction. Being addicted to anything is truly horrific, both for the addict / alcoholic and even more so for the people who care about them.

However….
One day at a time, it is possible to live a productive and happy life without drugs or alcohol. It is possible to live a life filled with hope, faith and courage.

If I can, you can too!