I haven't been on the board since mid January, but I must express my sincere gratitude. On January 22 I was blessed with 2 years continuous sobriety. I was also lucky enough to begin a dream job that same day that keeps me working very long hours this time of year. Neither of those would've happened without ya'll and the support of a program.
Most importantly on the 26th, when I was busy at work, my brother called me. He called the drunk who couldn't be counted on to show up to Christmas without enough alcohol in my body that you could smell it, during a medical emergency and a ride to the hospital. He lives outside of ambulance service and his wife and neighbors weren't home. He called me, and I answered and was there for him. They shot him up with morphine and sent him home with a bunch of pills to rest. I spent the night and next day with him to make sure he took his heavy pain meds and sedatives. Six bottles of pills placed out on a counter for four or six hour doses, right next to a full bar of the best whiskey you can buy. I was there, checking the time. The same guy he watched lose his mind and jump out of his automobile at 45 mph as he tried to get me to a hospital to detox just a little over two years ago. Me. Maybe not exactly me, but the same DNA, now a completely different person than I was when I was drinking. I did my job as a brother should to take care of my own. The thought of a drink didn't cross my mind. The thought of sneaking a pill didn't cross my mind. None of that hit me until I was on my way home. "Holy shit dude, that would've been a gold mine of a disaster waiting to happen a couple of years ago." Then I thought a little more. He never would've even called me to help two years ago. I would've found out several days after the fact, if at all. Even if I did I probably wouldn't have cared or remembered much. What a fuckin trip. So much so I still pinch myself every once in a while when I stop and think where I came from and what today is like.
If you're reading this and aren't sure shit can change, believe it. Tomorrow is not written if you don't let it. I promise you never have to feel like you do right now again.
I'm grateful for my two years. I'm lucky to land my dream job. I'm proud to be the calm one in the office nowadays when the shit hits the fan. I've lived crazier stuff than a couple of things going wrong at work. I like to say there are no more big deals in life after getting sober. There are just opportunities to have the best day I can no matter what happens. The truth is there are some big deals. My brother called me, and I was there. Thats a big fucking deal and I'm grateful.
Love you all. Happy days. Grateful to be sober for another 24 hours.
Edit. My brother is all good. Poor fucker had a 4mm kidney stone he couldn't pass. I kept saying this too shall pass. He kind of thought it was funny.