Happy 5 Years of Sobriety To Me!!!

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   Wendi Mposted 12 years ago

   I'm 5, I'm 5, I'm a big girl now I'm 5!
   
   Actually, they say that you become emotionally stunted when you begin drinking (heavily,) and I began drinking at 13...therefore, Happy 18th Birthday to me!!
   
   Life can be good if you work at it!

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      BethanRoseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well done, that's great! I wish you great happiness and more sobriety :-)

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         Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you BethanRose.
         
         It's also my 1 year wedding anniversary today...big day for me!

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      Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Congartulations!!!  Wendi M- You Rock !!
         
      
      
      
      
      

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      Maddie Ruudposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations and admiration, Wendi M.  5 years is a big anniversary!  Remember, you got there one day at a time!

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      danfresnourbanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Congratulations, you should be very proud of yourself. It is a difficult and scary thing to do. Good job.

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   WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

   Congratulations, Wendi
   
   that is a true victory indeed.
   
   My partner, although an extremely intelligent, erudite man, who was once a hospital consultant specialising (ironically) in toxicology, chose to continue drinking until it finally killed him in June last year.

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   CMHypnoposted 12 years ago

   Congratulations Wendi, you must be so proud of yourself.
   
   Hope you have a great celebration and that life continues to be great

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   giselenmendezposted 12 years ago

   Congratulations ! You should be really proud of yourself! I hope you'll have a great time celebrating with the ones you love the most.

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   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   Congrats!
   
   
   
   
   
   Way To Go!

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      Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you to everyone...huge grin on my face today!
      
      And Cagsil...Love the dance!

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   klarawieckposted 12 years ago

   Congratulations! I wish you a lifetime of anniversaries like this one!

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   sofsposted 12 years ago

   Bravo.. wish you the very best in life. :-}

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      Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Klara and Sofs!

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   CASE1WORKERposted 12 years ago

   Well done girl! Shout it out from the rooftops, this girl done good!

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   MissEposted 12 years ago

   CONGRATS!!!

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    Home Girlposted 12 years ago

    How can you start drinking heavily at 13? Where did you get alcohol? It's not like it is sold to  13 years old kids! Alcohol is a dangerous thing, it ruins your health and your judgement, and your personality. It's not just kills you, it can leave you very ill, suffering for years without mercy. Be careful, your body will never "forgets" that  you've been drinking, it's like a tiger in woods - always ready, always watching for your weakness...

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       wychicposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I think she already figured out the damaging effects, or she wouldn't have quit. My brothers have been drinking heavily since they were pre-teens -- it's the side effect of having alcoholic parents who not only don't care if you're drinking, they looked at me like I'd grown a second head because I didn't want to drink. Our uncle's death due to alcoholism was enough for one brother, who is now on the road to recovery.
       
       Congrats, Wendi!

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I'm sorry about your family's difficulties wychic.  Hopefully things turn around for your family.
       
       I'm guessing Home Girl didn't read the topic of this forum.
       
       Thank you for the congrats!

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    Lisa HWposted 12 years ago

    Wendi, congratulations and best wises for many, many, more reasons to to celebrate as time keeps moving on.

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    Wendi Mposted 12 years ago

    Things just keep on getting better. 
    
    I had been interviewing for another job for the past month, and just got offered the job...for $14K more than I'm already making!
    
    The promises are coming true (AA Lingo!)

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       Patty Inglish, MSposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congratulations for all the good things happening with you. It's hard work rewarded and faith upheld. Best wishes!

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       Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Congrats on the job too!

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          Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Thank you Patty and Cagsil. 
          
          Nothing like sitting around with a glass half-full and life coming around to top it of for you!

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    Brenda Durhamposted 12 years ago

    Congratulations Wendi.
    I wish you continued success;  awesome job!

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Brenda!

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    rebekahELLEposted 12 years ago

    Congrats Wendi! It must feel amazing for you. It sounds like you have every reason to celebrate! Keep expecting the best.

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Rebekah.  I'm so excited to see what other surprises life is going to hand me.

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    thaivalentineposted 12 years ago

    Congratulations - since everyone knows somebody battling addiction, how did you do it.  AA, cold turkey, family intervention, etc.

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I did it with AA.  I have a sister who's been in the program for 15 years.  She and I were never close, because of the drinking, but now we have a amazing relationship.
       
       In fact, she is the process of having my 22 year old son (who just admitted to an addiction himself) move down with her, so she can help him get back on his feet.  Hopefully he gets as much out of the program as I have so far.

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    RedElfposted 12 years ago

    You truly are "protected by Smith and Wilson" (a friend proudly wears a t-shirt with that slogan).
    
    Congratulations to you - all your hard work is beginning to pay off!

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you RedElf.  I just picked up my 5 year medalion today!

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    Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing your sobriety milestone with us, Wendi. Five years is a biggie -- congrats on getting your marbles back!
    May the promises keep coming at ya.
    And when life on life's terms sucks the big one (which inevitably will happen -- hopefully not anytime soon, tho!), remember, there is NOTHING in this world that drinking would make better and everything in this world that drinking would make worse .
    
    All the best to you, MM
    P.S. Love the story about your new positive relationship with your sister. And GOOD LUCK to your son. I've traveled that path and know how hard it is for the parent of a young addict... Lots of support here on HP if you need it!
    HUGS!

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Mighty Mom.
       
       I appreciated every word you wrote.
       
       Wendi

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    Peter Owenposted 12 years ago

    Congrats Wendi -
    Now for caution- I'm sure you have seen people go back out after their first anniversary. I have seen same thing after 5th and 10th. Why? - people are proud of themselves and can get the feeling they are cured. I'm not saying this is happening to you, but it can hit us without our knowing it.
    I allow myself a 10 minute Reflect and BackPat each year. Other than that, it is just another day.
    Milestones should be day by day, not year by year. As you have hopefully been taught, yearly anniversaries are not for you, but for the newcomers to prove to them it can work.
    Euphoria is a killer.
    Hopefully you have a sponsor who is watching over you.

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I have a good life, and I work my steps.  I celebrate my achievements as I chose, as they are my achievements,
       
       Euphoria is not a killer, in my eyes, pessimism is!

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          Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Right on, Wendi. Keep doing what works for you!
          By the way, thought I'd share this little ditty (hope you don't mind).
          I have a very dear friend who says what I believe Peter Owen was getting at with his "warning."
          He says,
          "Happy birthday to those of us celebrating milestone birthdays and to all of us for completing another day of sobriety. But remember: alcohol is cunning, baffling, powerful, persuasive, and incredibly patient. It's just waiting for an opportunity to lull us into a false sense of security so we slip up and pick up. So happy birthday today -- but don't get cocky!!"
          
          I'm not sure how this comes across in print, but it has become this man's (21 years in recovery)signature share opening. It may be corny, but it's catchy... (at least I think so!). MM

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    earnestshubposted 12 years ago

    Gutsy! Well done Wendi, congratulations.

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       Wendi Mposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Earnest.

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