8 years of sobriety

[Charlize]

I am truly blessed to be celebrating an anniversary. 8 years ago i stopped drinking and managed to get to a meeting of AA in an adjoining town. I hid behind a pillar in the basement that helped to support the church above and shook mostly because i was just beginning to need, really need a drink. The 12 steps and 12 traditions were displayed on the wall in front of me. I saw and knew the first step. I was powerless over alcohol and my life had become unmanageable. I still hadn't lost the farm but in many ways i had. I couldn't see beyond the need for another drink. When i fought with family it was a great excuse to go to the barn with my best friend, a gallon bottle of cheap vodka. Nothing wrong with sleeping in the cold.

At the meeting people were nice to me, especially a cute redhead ( i've spoken for her at a women's meeting she chairs).

I went back the next week. Somehow i had managed to curl up on the couch and not drink for a week! There were hallucinations but not the nice ones i had had in the 60's. The drive back to the meeting was hard as i didn't have my crutch and phantoms ran across the road in front of me.

Slowly the pain in my body went away but i still was so close to that first drink. I got a sponsor, joined the group i first attended, started to make coffee and clean up after meetings and started to pray. I knew i couldn't stay sober alone. Finding and accepting a higher power was hard for me. I had majored in religion in college with a true major in drugs. I knew all about religions and couldn't make the leap to believe without chemical assistance.

So much has changed. Not only have i accepted that i am part of a universe so much greater than any of it's elements but i am able to let go at times and trust that i will be OK even without knowing or trying to control the future. I have come to accept a higher power.

One member of my group who has known me since i joined said a few months ago: All we have to change when we get sober is everything.........just take a look at Charlize". In fact i have been blessed with change in so many ways. I am a grateful alcoholic who is also amongst other things transgendered. I am sober today thanks to my higher power and the wonderful world and its creations that surround and support me.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Kenna Dixon]

Congratulations!

I admire your strength and resolve.

[Cyndee]

Good for you Charlize, congrats on your sobriety, wishing you the best in the rest of your life.

Hugs

Cynthia -

[Guest LizMarie]

Congratulations, Charlize!

[Guest Deanna]

Congratulations!

[Guest Kayla Grace]

Finally, a chance for me to give you praise, Charlize

I congratulate you :score: :score:

God Bless

Natalya <3

[VickySGV]

As they say at all of our meetings, we keep coming back because it works if we work it!! Happy Birthday!!

[Guest Edu]

Happy anniversary, Charlize!

[Guest]

Congratulations Charlize.

Sobriety is not an easy path for us, but you are proof that it is a possible path.

Huggs,

Joann

[Charlize]

On Friday night i got a VIII coin at my GLBT meeting. I was also given roses which no one had ever given me before. I can cry just thinking about it. The coin actually sparkles with blue highlights on the bronze coin. It is a custom to pass the coin around the room and one woman there said the coin matched my personality. It sparkled. Again tears and a recognition of the gifts that not drinking and the honesty i found as i became sober have given me. I entered that meeting after dressing in the car. I was as scared as my first day in the rooms and now 6 years later i'm so fortunate to have grown to love the other alcoholics there. There was no T at the meeting then. I was the first to show her (or his) face and stay. The great thing is that there is now a group mod gay men who seem to understand in ways they never had before. There is something about the sharing and openness at AA that help us know each other as no where else. I love the fact that there was a group conscious meeting where they added a T. There is even another MTF who is a member here and now comes to the meeting.

On Tuesday night i will celebrate my anniversary with my "straight" home group. 8 years of getting to know the folks there. I'm looking forward to the meeting but enjoying today as well.

I am truly blessed,

Hugs,

Charlize

[gennee]

Happy anniversay and congratulations!

[Guest cerise]

Ditto The above.

I didn't know you are from the class of 2007.

I'll be 8 in May. different home group this year but it was the place I took most of my first year chips and where I got into the Big Book.

Congrats Charlize!!!

XOXO

[Charlize]

I'll be here to welcome you to the crazy 8's if my HP wants that. I was somewhat worried about a 7 year itch but got through without picking up that first one.

Hugs,

Charlize

[Guest Kayla Grace]

I just can't get over it Charlize. It's something that needs to be celebrated and praised

Congratulations again

God Bless

Natalya <3

[Guest PainterByNameOnly]

Congrats!!!!!