A year of joy and adversity

This was a big week for me.  It was Thanksgiving, and of course I have a lot to be thankful for.  However, the holidays have been really hard for me the last few years.  As many of you know, I have no contact with my family and that is really emotional for me when it …

What a Difference a Year Makes

Today is my birthday - my belly-button birthday, as it's called in the program.  I am officially 42 years old.  I have always found that birthdays are a time of reflection, and today is not an exception.  I'm not so much looking at the whole of my 42 years, as I am reflecting on just the …

Sobriety Isn’t For Sissies

Life is full of ups and downs, isn't it?  I'm a firm believer that you have to suffer the downs in order to fully appreciate and enjoy the ups.  But sometimes, the downs really do get to me.  The last couple of weeks have been like that.  It's one of those periods of time where it …