Sobriety

I stopped drinking alcohol on September 30, 1976. It was America’s Bi-centennial! I had no idea what I was moving toward, mostly I knew what I was turning away from; pain, shame, misery, humiliation, and despair. So many times I stop to remember where I came from and look at all sobriety has given to me.I got sober before treatment/rehab centers were a “thing”. My path to recovery was through Alcoholics Anonymous. I will forever be grateful because it taught me about the power of a group of people working toward the same outcome. It also taught me to ask for help and to rely on others for guidance and direction in uncharted territory. I learned to trust others and most importantly, how to trust myself. I learned how to make wise decisions and to take setbacks and turn them into lessons. I was shown how to love myself and my AA family taught me I was worthy of love, success, and healthful living. I found a God of my understanding.

The family took on a new importance; becoming a woman with integrity, grace, and dignity was a side benefit of choosing a life of sobriety. I have been blessed so many times over with a reconnection with my son, a granddaughter for whom I offered up many prayers that she would not need drugs or alcohol in her life. She’s 26, and so far – so good. My son has been sober for 32 years. Those are gifts that I treasure.

I enjoyed a successful career as a mental health counselor. My pre-sobriety life taught me many things that I could share with others. My suffering became one of my greatest gifts.

On this 44th anniversary of sobriety, I find myself living my life in Mexico. Life has been good to me. I am richly blessed by friends, a good husband, a son and granddaughter, step-grandchildren and a group of little Mexican orphans who need the love I have to share.

To all of you who have shared part of my journey, I thank you and want you to know how your presence in my life has abundantly enriched my life….whether you were a client, a friend, or a member of the AA fellowship, thank you for your part in making my life a splendid experience. As the old-timers say….”I’ll take it for another 24!!”

Written September 2020

Sharon St, John