So THAT'S why I quit using!

[leaf]

Hi folks,
Over at another site, we had a thread dedicated to sharing with everyone how we feel we are benefiting from sobriety, as new experinces show us what a good choice it is. I loved this thread because I think it is so important to take the time to reflect on the good stuff and this is another cool way to do that.

Here is my latest. Last night, my 15 month old was so sick with a virus. I remember back with my 7 year old that that was just about the most tragic thing for my drunken, selfish self. Back then I would have been angry that he kept me from sleeping off the effects of my drinking (last night was Saturday night and I would have been in rough shape).

Anyway, since I was sober, I was able to wake up with him, give him some medicine, and comfort him. He grabbed my hand and looked up at me with this sweet little look of love for making him feel better. I just sat there and held him and was grateful to be a sober, caring dad.

Anyone have a recent story of a situation that reaffirmed how awesome the choice of sobriety has been for them?

[Gooch]

that's the stuff love's made of Leaf.

and that's the reason we quit. Our capacity to love had been compromised by our need for shelter from our emotions.

[Chy]

OMG you have a 15 month old. How sweet.. I love babies!

Well my 15 year old son and I are pretty close...most days..given as close as you can get to a near 6ft terribly devilish and dashing 15 year old that is usually so full of himself. He just got his permit and I have limited his driving to a block. *LOL*... like up to the store and back.

So I wanted to go to the west side about a 40 minute drive on the freeway one way....well first on a Saturday I'd normally be to hungover to want to go anywhere...so I ask "son you want to go to the west side" .."yeah mom,
can I drive?" .....*gasp*... trust right? *LOL*

..so off we go and on the way back out of the blue as we're both doing the head bopping thing like on the movie "Night at the Roxbury"...he goes "Ya know mom, I really love you!".....*gasp again* *LOL*... things like that I never heard when drinking...from anyone. Know what I mean?

[Bruce]

w/o getting into too much...ya ever hear the expression AA saves lives? oops wrong forum....well it has saved a few this last week, cuz if I was drinking.....


love-B

[Muse]

A time which sticks in my mind is when the school called last Fall, my daughter was sick and could I come get her? I thought thank God I am sober. If they would have called me in the past I would have been drunk at 10:00 AM and would have been pissed by the inconvenience, not to mention showing up at the school drunk. That is terrible. Terrible for my behavior and terrible for being angry at my child for getting sick. I have many occurrences where I could hang my head in shame. I can see things more clearly now. There is less shame that way.

I'm grateful for sobriety. Life is full of unexpected occurrences and I'm glad I can be prepared for them. There was no way in the past. It's hard to follow through on commitments when you are drunk and incapacitated. Live and learn...

[laurie6781]

Early last evening, about 7:30 I was at Christie's (across the street) and she was having a terrible time with her youngest my 10 week old grandson Benjamin. Everything had been tried, he wasn't hungry, he was dry, his swing didn't calm him (it usually does) and neither did his car seat (he usually immediately falls asleep when put in it, lol).

She handed him to me, (I was the only one who hadn't tried anything yet) and low and behold, I had him cradled in my left arm, he was holding my right index finger real tight (God that kid has a grip like you wouldn't believe) and looking at me with those big big eyes of his (at least he had stopped crying for a moment) and I started talking to him in that low voice I use, telling him how hard I know it can be, yadda yadda, and he fell sound asleep.

Now, had I still been practicing, #1 I wouldn't even have been allowed in the house, and #2 no way would I have been able to hold that beautiful child, and #3 that child would not have wanted anything to do with me because of the SMELL of me if nothing else.

I have four beautiful grandbabies right across the street that ALWAYS (well 3 of them do, lol) run to meet me and give me a big hug. They make me drawings, and sketches, and always want to be around me.

That is one of the BIGGEST JOYS of my sobriety. The unconditional love of my beautiful grandchildren.

Love and (((((to all))))),

[leaf]

Awesome stuff guys. “Being there” for those that we care about, not to mention them wanting us to be, is such an important part of this. At least it is for me anyway.

I hear sobriety often referred to as “freedom.” When I take the time to really consider all the things that I was basically a blurred spectator to, freedom really resonates with me.

What is something that you noticed today that you wouldn’t have appreciated when using?

[Nadinearama]

Today I noticed that I am a strong and independant person. I have achieved alot in my life, and there is much more on its way.

Nadi

[Chy]

Today I got the BEST test results back for my cholesterol. 80! 3 years ago 510! Woo hoo!

[Gooch]

Tonight I noticed the tangerine orange sunset against the Genesee valley skyline, while riding alomg with some friends on the way to get ice cream.

And with it dropping into the lo 50's after the sun finished sinking, I noticed the brain freeze in my forehead...

Invigiteratin! it t'were.

[leaf]

Hey Nad,
Yes you are!

OMG Chy,
that is great. What a drop!

Gooch,
Sounds like a perfect evening.

Tonight I learned that I make a pretty decent sober bowler. Bowled a 189, my personal best. I also realize something that I had never noticed before, bowling alleys smell really bad!

[Done-With-It!]

Today I can watch my yorkie prance around in her new metallic boots and pink metallic coat and watch her think/know "She's all that".......
Last week I got her haircut and washed.

9 months ago, I wasn't even taking the time out to brush her matted hair that needs to be brushed almost every day.

Today, I don't freeze in panic when she sneezes cause I'm worried a piece of my meth fell on the floor and she got inhaled it.
Today I can say, Why Bless You Princess.......

Relief........

[leaf]

What a cutie D-W-I!

[MongoRongo]

Great thread

I love reading about people's special moment when they realize how much they have and how much sobriety matters.

We truly are all on a life changing journey. It's a lot of hard work, but when the benefits are realized, it's all worth it.

Recovery is not for wimps.

Let's hold our heads high.

Ron

[Done-With-It!]

Originally Posted by leaf

What a cutie D-W-I!

ISN'T SHE THOUGH!!!! I'm such a proud mom, it's almost pathetic.
But she really is soo good, and she knows lots of tricks.


My latest.......

Yesterday I was working for someone who is sick and needs help.
I worked for 17 hours, and also today........

Today, I saw their secret stash of money, a lot of it....... They showed me.......
Today I am the safest person they could have shown that too.

8 months ago?

I smiled inside today when I saw that cause I knew there was no chance I'd ever even think about touching that money.

Then I charged them for only an 8 hour day instead of the 17.

I would never be like that if I was on meth.......Thank god I never got to a point of stealing, but I was always wondering where I could get more money........

[purrdy]

Leaf this is such a cool thread...gratitude ...again! oh yes! i can always find so much to be grateful for....

just being there for my son...11 and stealing!...OMG!..stealing from me...i was able to sit and talk, help him try and guide him...forg marched himto the police station today for a good stiff talking to bya burley copper!.....when i was dinking iwould have probalby used it as just another excuse to wallow in my own shit and pity and tell myself what a crap mother i was.....

today i am made of stronger stuff, i can talk logically, keep my cool (within reason!..lol) and show him compassion and love...

its been a tough coupld of days but its ok....the whole experience is not wasted....we have both learned valuable lessons and im sober and know whats going on!

great thread Leaf..cheeers

[leaf]

Hey purrdy,

Being able to keep my emotions in check and control how I react to things has been so rewarding for me as well. I couldn’t do that while drinking or hung over. There have been so many times that a situation upsets me and I can still hear the aggravated, blaming, overreacting voice in my head. Sober, I can put the irrational crap aside and even filter unpleasant “discussions” without attacking the other person.

Great reminder thanks!

Ps. Good for you scaring some sense into your son!

[leaf]

Last night I went to my 3 year old’s preschool graduation.

Parents are insane BTW. The pushing and shoving and jockeying for position to take pictures was a disgrace. I watched a couple of 80 something year old women almost have a fist fight. I have seen less aggression at a Metallica concert. But, I digress.

Anyway, this was just another example of something that I would have been irritated to be at for interfering with my drinking. To be ALL there for the little guy really made me happy and he was glowing holding up his little diploma.

[Maxine]

Originally Posted by leaf

Last night I went to my 3 year old’s preschool graduation.

To be ALL there for the little guy really made me happy and he was glowing holding up his little diploma.

How sweet. I'm sitting here smiling, thinking of my guys and their pre-school graduations so long ago.

There's so many "so that's why I quit" moments, I really need to think about it.

This is a great thread. Great way to hold on to the attitude of gratitude.

Thanks for this, Proud Papa.

[Muse]

I just went to my babies eighth grade graduation, sober. What a concept. I remember going to my nephew's eighth grade graduation. The woman in front of me was so drunk she made quite a spectacle of herself. I'm grateful I didn't do the same.