I am an addict named Mike,I say I am an addict first because if I don't remember what I am first who I am won't matter.Hey Paw,Ann,Larry ,Keith hope this day finds you well.We are blessed and doing well.Haven't been here in a minute.Life has been really busy and God blessed......Eric has celebrated his first year clean of Heroin addiction and going to night college and finishing up his probation and doing well. My daughter Sarah,received the most beautiful gift from God our little granddaughter ,Jaelyn Amyiah,OUR PRECIOUS GIFT born april 2oth...We are planning on leaving our jobs,little $$$ ,no jobs in line and moving to Florida so my wife can be near her parents who are struggling with althizmers and dad is in wheel chair and hard getting around.so here we go,stepping out on faith and knowing our Higher Power ,whom we call God will continue to guide us.Sarah and her family coming but Eric sticking around New York..I am back working in a rock band,very active with NA and also stop in AA when out of area etc...Ann hope you dad is still hanging in,my prayers are with you and your family and Pat I know the kids are keeping you active,my little granddaughter got my heart.Truly thru Gods grace and mercy am I here to be part of this new way of life,a day at a time/I read a little of the topic on addiction and active not active etc.We are aware that our illness is a physical,mental and spiritual illness that manifests itself in all areas of our lives and what makes us different than others is not how much or what we use but our reaction to the substance,It is that "first one" we know we have to stay away from or we can immediately institute our pain all over again.We do recover ,a day at a time from a seemingly hopeless state of body and mind but it is contingent,based on a fit spiritual condition,a daily reprieve,accompanied by applying spiritual principles and guided by our Higher Powers in our lives attitudes and behaviors.We can become all we were intended to be and help others by living our lives accordingly//....Well ramblin now but just wanted to say if you are new to recovery or just coming around,give yourself a break ,come on in from the storm,find that new way to live,the message is hope...So i'll try and get back more often, Wish you peace and serenity ,remember with God all things are possible!![H]
MIKE F
Mike as always, great to hear from you. Congrats on that baby girl. I only wish I could be around mine more. I did talk to them on the phone the other night. I have 4 awesome grandsons, and 1 beautiful granddaughter and I haven't seen the three little guys and the baby since July. Miss 'em terribly. Hey the old folks need lovin' too and it's wonderful that you and your wife are going to give that love back to them in their time of need. You know my Mother in law and I only tolerated each other for over 30 years, but when she reached a point that she couldn't do for herself anymore, it was left to Norm and I to take over. I did it because she was in need. And sadly she didn't know him anymore, but I sure must've made and impression, 'cause she knew me till the end. Funny how that works out.
Have a little 4 pointer coming in each evening to feed off the chestnut tree in the back yard. I love this time of year and this is when I start missing Norm the most.
So glad Eric is on the mend. I know you're proud of him and he should be of himself as well.
I too don't come to this site much anymore. Got too much spam on it. And too much rehashing the same answers to the same questions. I feel they got too wrapped up in their counselors and training and not enough on the meaning of the site.
Take care my friend.
today is the next step in the journey......paw
My Dad is very sick. That is all I will say about that! Hope you and your family do well in the move. Glad Eric is okay.
Now, I am sorry about filing a grievence against some people. There was nothing wrong with those people, it was me. I hope some of you get the chance to read this.
Very creative usernames by the way. Pretty funny how creative some of these new people are.
Whereever you all are at in your recovery, I hope all of you find peace! And the people at the meetings don't make fun of you or have you read "Like a man without a leg. He never grows a new one." You are suppose to feel welcome there.
Judge and get judged back!!
Ann
God bless you Pat! yes tomorrow is opening day ,bow season up here,I am more excited about sitting in my tree and chillin out and getting back inside myself with prayer and meditation then any thoughts of my take.This will be my last year of hunting after many decades.I used the last of last seasons take last night for dinner and will miss my full freezer but all is well.Yes Jaelyn is our little blessing,Poppy spoiin her rotten and my daughter feelin it :).......I also think oy you and Norm at this time of the season an also the beauty of God's creatures,big and small and the serenity of time in their playground.....This site seems very different from awhile back and I wasnt sure I would even connect with you or Ann or anyone.Glad you dropped in.I wish you peace in future endeavors,get to huggin them babies,and we are moving forward,steppin out on faith and in the God of our understandings guidance and grace...More is always revealed.I will stop in periodically and you can always e mail me,thats how I got a message from Ann came thru my mail.....Stay blessed and continue givin back to the best of your ability our primary purpose to stay clean/sober,just for today and to carry the message to the still sick and suffering and our "ultimate" purpose to be of maximum service to God and others.....Peace my friend
Hey Ann ,thank you for writing,this site has changed immensely.I will keep you and your family lifted up to the God of my understanding and pray for peace and serenity in your lives..We are truly blessed and continue our adventure of "life on life's terms,day by day..Im not sure what the grievance thing is ,but i remember awhile back writing about all the "commercials' on this blessed site..Dylan said i'the times they are a changin,but our recoveries are still most important if we are to move forward in God's continued grace and mercy..Please keep in touch okay and i'll stop in now and again. I sponsor others and spend a lot of time trying to give back in NA and other endeavors.With God all things are possible and we'll continue our journey knowing that our Fear takes flight when our Faith stands firm.......Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone, it certainly wont be me chuckin it!!! God bless ,stay strong ....Cyou on the rebound!!
I am new to this site and is just what I am looking for. I pray that you and the other person that posted before yours are still coming on here and sharing as it is very encouraging and helpful to us new ones who maybe aren't necessarily ready to chat, but find hope and help reading others comments and experiences. I say I am new and I mean new as in reaching out to be connected to a support group. I however am not new to being sober and an alcoholic . I am both. Over 20 yrs. Without a drink, but last few years am struggling with triggers brought on from spouse deciding to drink again. Very hard to handle. I am hurting and struggling.
Good Morning!
Thanks for sharing ,its how we get help by reaching out! It is very important to remember that we may not be responsible for our illness ,but we are responsible for our recovery.Staying connected,applying spiritual principles in our attitudes and behaviors guided by the God of our own understanding is so crucial to our continued "recovery" There is a major difference between abstinence and recovery.I stayed clean for over 20 years after my first sponsor died in '87 but the progression of the disease was ongoing.When I cam e crawling back into the rooms.I was mentally spiritauly and physically broken.For 7 long years we lived with the Heroin addiction of my then 17 year old son.I actually found a Nar-Anon group to help me learn to 'DETACH WITH LOVE".As an addict myself I know only I can make the decisions and leave the results to God..Communication is oh so important when involved with another using individual.As an addict ,a parent of an addict and one working his own program I had to learn to set boundaries but make sure I abided by what the boundaries were..You have taken a major step by reaching out her.There is Al-Anon and also the rooms for you ..When we realize that "self sponsorship" really doesnt get it for us,we take steps to further our growth.I can only suggest you take a deep look inside and keep reaching out.Relapses dont occur all of a sufdden,there are usually reservations that are stored somewhere in your process that come to the forfront(well if shes drinkin maybe i can have one,oh its not that bad,she wont get help .poor me etc....)ITS THE ILLNESS LURKING,it wants us all back.Keep reaching out to the best of your ability and remember we do recover a day at a time but it is based on that fit spiritual condition,when that starts gettin shaky the pain can be right around the corner.Please mail me if you want to talk...I will keep you and your other in prayer......Peace.
Mike, as always good to hear from you. I stop by here once in awhile now. There was nothing going on for so long that I quit making it an everyday thing, but I always stop in to see if you've posted. Haven't been able to do "a conversation" on here for some time. I'm glad you're doing well.
Welcome Loner, I have over 20 years now and I always struggle this time of year. I fall into a slump from about Thanksgiving through around the first of Feb. I think about drinking off and on all year, it's something I've never really gotten used to not doing. I do it on my own though. I don't attend meetings, and have never had a sponsor or done the steps with someone. The main thing that keeps me from drinking is giving up my sober time. I go to houses where some are offered drinks/wine/beer and I just ask for a juice or water and not dwell on the other. I don't know however, if I could live with someone that drinks on a daily basis for a given amount of time without giving in. That's a tough one for me. Maybe if you get together with more sober people right now, it would help to ease the 'stinkin' thinkin'. Hang in there.
Hey Pat ,yes I think of you often especially around this time of the year and get the vivid pictures of the critters in your yard.I have been out for bow season but since Jaelyn been born kind of lost the desire to take any deer.I know all about conservation and food chain,and nature etc,but this happened to me about 20 years ago also.Kind of lost the desire to shoot but still love to watch them come out,scent me but not see me and do their thing.Today I celebrate 27 years of freedom from active addiction and I am truly humbled and grateful.I will celebrate Monday at my homegroup.We are moving to Florida July 1st so lots of things coming up.As always I work to remain guided by my Higher Power ,who I call God and practice spiritual principles in all my affairs.Some days definitely better than others but all days better than when in the grip.....I think of ANN and others here and wish all well and blessings.Jaelyn has stolen my heart,she is now 7 months old and turning into a people!!!And she loves grandpa,,We are trying not to spoil her rotten but don't think its working yet.....ANYWAY PEACE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU .Thank you for always carrying the message of recovery,you work your own program to the best of your ability and stay sober,there are many different roads to a life free from addiction,we choose what works for us and I know for me Trying to be of maximum service to the God of my understanding and others keeps me moving forward. Peace and serenity in your heart and life!!
Thanks Mike, and as always your message is awesome. Congrats on those 27 years. I just passed 20 and that nagging thought to drink is always there wanting it's turn in my life again. But I remain firm in staying sober. Don't want to give the time up ya know? I'm glad you're happy. And hold those babies as long and tight as you can.