I am now lying on the sofa with the laptop resting on my thighs. I have on my comfy pants and my slippers and a big pink sweatshirt. Comfy, comfy, comfy.
Mr D has just walked into the room after putting our 7-year-old to bed and I have (nicely) asked him for a cup of tea. He knows it's the chamomile time of night.
On the TV is a show about people renovating homes. My 10-year old has now just joined me on the sofa with his hair wet and PJs on after having a bath that I insisted on him having. He resisted but now he is clean and fresh and that makes me happy. He turns 11 in three days and we are discussing what he wants for his birthday breakfast (a pancake stack, maple syrup and bacon "with icing sugar sprinkled over like at a cafe mum").
I can hear my 12-year-old in the study with his friend who is here on a sleepover. They are playing Minecraft and talking online with other friends who are also playing.
The dog has just ambled into the room and stuck his nose into my arm. I had to pause typing to give him some scratchy love and now he's collapsed onto the rug.
My muscles are sore from the gym this morning. I have increased my weights slightly because I want to keep pushing myself and because I can!
The tea has arrived and it smells delicious. Mr D has switched the renovation programme to Game of Thrones. I'm not a huge Game of Thrones fan but I suppose he has the right to do that given he made the tea.
This is my ordinary and glorious sober life. Utterly fabulous and ordinary and cosy and sober.
Sober, sober, sober, sober.
Sobriety gives me so much. It gives me calm where before there was boozy chaos. It gives me clarity where before there was blurry confusion. It gives me peace where before there was guilt and misery.
Above all it gives me strength and pride and the ability to keep pushing myself forward. Onwards! Always.
Love, Mrs D xxx
(Photo taken yesterday on the wonderful wild coastline just 15 minutes drive from our house.)
One glorious day ( and night) at a time. Fabulous you!
ReplyDeleteThe way you write allows us all right into your living room and lets us smell your son's hair and feel the texture of the dog, and the taste of the chamomile tea. xo
ReplyDeleteThis brings tears of happiness! Sobriety is, indeed, a beautiful thing!
ReplyDeleteThe joy of the ordinary cannot be underestimated.
ReplyDeleteThat is where we find bliss,
Wow! You are so lucky to live near the sea. Growing up we always lived near the coast as my Dear Dad was in the Navy. I'm three years sober and recently retired, Woo Hoo !
ReplyDeleteSo great Mrs D - I was just talking about you to someone the other day and how you inspired me. She is in her 80's and remembers the TV "coming out" you did. It is wonderful that this story transcended through the generations :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle xx
Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I keep sober, for all the little things, good and bad.
xo
Wendy
Mrs. D!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog - you're right, sobriety provides so much more piece of mind then abusing substances. I found my piece of mind recently when taking a step back from Alcohol.
I wanted to share with you a link that I think would compliment your blog very well. I think it would make a great addition to your addiction resources as well.
Below I will attach the link. Please let me know what you think.
Thanks again,
Kevin
Helpmaine.com
Hello Mrs D and friends. I am writing from Pittsburgh PA and I need help. Damn ... those words are tough for me. :) I have tried everything to stay sober - four rehabs, AA, Drinking in Moderation. I have a book collection that sounds like yours. I came across your book and I finally feel a bit hopeful. I really want yesterday to be my last night drinking but I will get home from work, be alone and find some excuse. Mostly i am worried about physical issues. I refilled my lorazapem to help. I am a 6-8pm drinker - vodka. I drink fast and i drink to get numb. I wonder if I can really do this at home without medical help. I've done it before. Fuck fuck fuck. I am so motivated today - because of you. Thank you for being so open, honest, funny, and most of all you've managed to take blame and guilt out of the picture.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Wish me luck!
Send good juju pretty please.
Mary