Five years ago today, I took my last drink. I won’t go into the dark details of my story, but suffice it to say that death seemed a better alternative to the life I was existing in. I was so low that I was ready to leave my two boys without a mother, believing that they would be far better off without me.
Thanks to this forum, the love of so many of you, the support I found in my recovery program, and guidance from my higher power, I now have a life truly beyond my wildest dreams. My babies are now seven and nine years old - and I am so grateful that they do not remember their Mama as a drunk. After some rocky days as I relearned how to live as a sober person, my husband and I are in a great place - far more authentic and honest than we have ever been.
None of this … none of it… would exist had I not gotten sober. Honestly, I wouldn’t be alive. Now… there is a freedom and a peace I never could have imagined for myself. And none of it would exist without the support and love I found here in this forum.
My friend @Englishd gave me this gem when I was five days sober: “We don’t drink today - no matter what.. For five years, I have said that to myself every morning - “I won’t drink today - no matter what.”
My children are worth that.
My friends are worth that.
My husband is worth that.
The students I work with are worth that.
I love reading updates like this.
You’re an OG of TS and it has been an inspiration and privilege to follow along with your increasing successes.
CONGRATULATIONS!
5 years, eh?
What a ride!
Woooooooow…congrats on 5 Years Holly!!! So happy (and kind of awestruck) to say that I’ve been here for all of it. Even more proud to be here with you sober today
Oh my goodness, Holly! I’m crying at the love and support that we give each other here. I’ve been a member of my AA home group since its first year, and I have the same experience here as I do there - watching people get sober and being part of that journey feeds my soul in a way nothing else can. In a way that drinking never ever could.
I’m so happy for you and your kids and your husband and your students. We would all be diminished had you left us, and we are so much the richer that you made the decision to go sober and put in the work.
Can confirm. We’re everyone one of us worth that, but especially you, lady.
Thanks so much for your fellowship and friendship on this journey. Your kindness, wisdom, and a few good laughs. For when I washed up here not long after, extending your hand.
May all your cranberry sauce be ever unscathed. Love ya, Holly!
We drunks often make light of the passage of time these sorts of days. We are grateful and give thanks (rightly so) to whatever the hell is out there (HI HP!!!) that has helped make all of this possible. We may even make note of slogans or stories that helped us along the way.
But as someone who has gotten to see a good bit first hand, I can tell everyone that none of this came without brutal self-honesty (even if it wasn’t out loud), the willingness to do the work, and then actually doing the damn work each and every day. (Maybe the peacocks helped some. Maybe.)
Even when things got dark in sobriety, you found the resilience (and maybe a little southern stubbornness) to pick yourself up and continue trudging towards the road of happy destiny. With that came the newly found knowledge that HP isn’t always the great architect of life we often imagine. Sometimes HP does its thang by dropping pipebomb in the middle of everything and blowing it all up (or ya know giving us a pandemic). And just when we have given up hope on finding a way out, HP winks from the black car out back telling you to jump in and hold on tight as it’s gonna be a hell of a ride.
Thank you for all you have done and the example you continue to be each day for all of us drunks.
Holly, my dear friend, I remember when you first joined and the pain and suffering I felt coming off of you in waves. I remember your story. Then we took on this adventure together and you became such a good friend! I’ve watched the ups and downs, the left turns and right turns, and watched you grow so very much. I am so proud of you and all you have done!
I love you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for sticking with me on this journey and helping me in dark times and celebrating with me in the great times. You will always have a special place in my heart!
It’s a big deal when a TS “oldtimer” shares, and I’m here for it. Major congratulations to you and I am so grateful that you came to share this with all of us! I love these shares from folks who have multiple years. It feels like such a gift when honestly it is sobriety that is gifting this and we all have the opportunity to receive it! Joy! Nowhere near all shits and giggles but still wouldn’t trade it for anything. Thanks for sharing.
So very happy for you Holly!! Super huge congratulations on your 5 freaking years!!! Amazing!! And goodness, how did the littles get so big!! Glad you and B are in a solid place!!! Love you friend!!!
Love ya, Holly!
hope you’re doing something good to celebrate this massive milestone 
