I agreed with her and explained in her comments section that summer will be the hardest part for me, because summer has always equaled partying and drinking for me. And from the looks of her entire comment sections, most alcoholics make this FUN SUMMER = BOOZE connection. I mean, who doesn't like a margarita while dipping chips in salsa out at the patio? Or walking around in shorts and a bikini top holding a corona? Or filling a cranberry juice bottle with special cranberry juice at the beach so the cops don't have a clue? I mean, what would summer be with all of that???
What? Did you think I forgot about the sunshine? Or the friends? Or the kids having a blast running around, playing? Or the swimming? Or the beach? Or the BBQs? Of course I didn't forget about those. But all this time those were like the hotdog and the bun, and the ketchup and mustard were the FUN, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Without them this summer, I get a big ol' fat, plain hot dog. YAY.
As I'm learning day to day, what I thought was a plain ol' hot dog, is really a gourmet, new york steak. If prepared correctly, it doesn't need anything on it at all. It's delicious all on its own.
My 1 year sobriety date is in September. Seems close enough, right? I mean, I'm just about at 7 months, and what's a few more, right? WRONG.
SUMMER is between now and then.
But one day at a time, and I can make it. I made yesterday, right? I made the day before that, right? Well, then I can make June, July and August.
I believe in you sweety. You have proven time and time again that you can do ANYTHING you set out to do. One day at a time...
ReplyDeleteStepping right along with you! MY 1 year is next Thursday, just went to my first AA meeting two days ago. Yeah, tired of doing it on my own finally. Friends are already starting their fun drink/snack parties...and I'm bringing my flavored sparkling water along! Wheeeeeee! At least I'll remember what we talked about at those summer bashes! :) Relearning how to 'have fun', social introvert that I am, without alcohol. Glad for the company!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! Summer, coolers of beer, a cold glass of white wine, perhaps something fruity with a straw? Yeah ... I barely survived last summer ... AA and therapist said it'd be hard. It was. Take it day by day, one step at a time, and keep a gratitude journal. It really helps, to just keep a lil' spiral with you all day, and jot down happiness here and there. :) You will do fine. :)
ReplyDeleteAhhh yes... the "special" container for our days of baking in the sun at the beach. I still miss those days, but they were right at the time and not so much anymore. September will be here before you know it!
ReplyDeleteYou know I understand... all too well! We can do it! This summer deserves some kind of new slogan... I don't know. Maybe we should whip up some sort of recovering alcoholics challenge for the summer months... put our brains together and we should be able to do something!
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