Gratitude...Giving thanks

[Charlize]

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I am an alcoholic, an addict who is sober this day. There is so for which to thank my higher power. Freedom from the physical need and hours and the days when i don't even think about using are amazing. That alone is a miracle.

I spent last night with my home group. As he i once did much of the physical work to prepare for a day of meals and meetings for others who share addiction on thanksgiving day. This year i arrived to see the work done and i was embraced by a group of men whose girlfriends commented on how pretty i looked.

The changes that i've found in sobriety are beyond my wildest dreams. It is a blessing that as a trans woman i'm embraced with such warmth by so many who have seen me transition . It is even a bigger blessing that sobriety has allowed me to embrace myself, to be "true to myself".

Too many folks with gender issues suffer from addiction. There is an easier softer way. I am grateful to have my feet on that path. Thank you for your help as well. A true reason for Thanksgiving.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Mia J]

Thank you Charlize,

Holidays can be hard for those who have had a problem with alcohol. It is sometimes hard to have those friends around you imbibing and not doing so myself. I must say that it has gotten much easier as time goes on. My spouse and I do indulge a drink a day. We share a coke with a slice of lime and that is as far as it will go.

Having those who support your efforts can be a life saver.

Mia

[VickySGV]

Last night we had Birthday recognitions and cake for four people, one of whom had hit 50 years about 6 days ago, and a the youngest being at the 1 year mark. and another woman at 6 years where I was last month. There were two people there with court cards, and both under 30 days of being clean, but both were clear headed and attentive as our birthday people "took a cake". Who was more thankful last night? That's a question that I cannot answer. Certainly our 50 year member (78 calendar years old) who has done some amazing work in sobriety to help others was bubbly and talkative in the meeting was thankful, but a couple of other groups had already recognized him in the days before. The other three who got "chips" (actually bronze coins) had expressed their gratitude, and I could feel that it was real. In our sharing the rest of us with more than 30 days expressed thankfulness and gave short descriptions of "what we do to keep sobriety in the forefront" since that was our topic last night. It is probably too early for our two new people to really know and inwardly feel the gratitude and thankfulness that is waiting for them, but at least they and their loved ones can be thankful they are alive and they have a place where they are welcome in our meeting room. The feeling may not be there yet, but in recovery, every day that dawns and you do not think "Damn it where did that sunlight come from" is a day of thanksgiving for us.