Need to be held accountable - travels, social occasions and life as it is

[desert_rose]

I wanted to share something here that I shared in the Gratitude thread. It was about the last trip I had, just this past weekend, for three days to visit long time friends.

@desert_rose

Grateful I had a long weekend visiting friends.

Grateful it was a long road trip and we made it there and back safely.

Grateful I have a wonderful husband who views things with more clarity than I do. Who asks me gently to let go of things when I really need to.Who nudged me to propose activities for all our friends that would allow them the freedom to choose to join or not to join. Who told me I need to stop trying to manage everyone’s relationships and let things flow the way they will.

In the end, the time away was wonderful. I’m grateful I’m learning to let go of control over things I have no business trying to control. And be ok with it.

I’m grateful my kids reconnected with their long-time friends.

I’m grateful I had some time in the sun with one of my best friends. A long walk and talk with the other. And the fact that they are not best friends anymore is now ok with me.

I’m so grateful for sun, beach, hamburguers, ice cream, football, unexpected surprises, and for being strong and healthy enough now to play with the kids activelly instead of sitting back with a drink. I’m grateful for diet 7up and cranberry juice. I’m grateful my friends now understand I have no interest in drinking anymore. I’m grateful my husband was able to enjoy his drink with the husbands, and that my friends were not drinking much or expecting me to join in.

I’m very grateful I said to one of my best friends, without thinking - “i don’t drink anymore.” Not “I’m not drinking today”, but “I don’t drink anymore”

I really loved the fact that it just came out that way. I’m so happy. So very grateful, now that I thought about it I’m almost at the verge of tears.

I think my not drinking did change my relationship with my best friends somewhat. But I’m ok with it. Our relationship was going to change anyway as we grow older and life makes us have different paths, priorities. I love them to pieces, but I’m better able to be a good friend sober. I hope they come to see it that way too

I’m sharing this here because your help got me to where I am today. Closing in on 6 months sober and happier than I could have ever expected with it. Thank you a million times over