Monday, July 24, 2006

By the Grace of God and the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous,

Today I am celebrating 22 years of continous sobriety. Words cannot begin to convey my gratitude for this blessing.

22 years ago this morning, I picked up the phone book as I had every morning for a week or two, and looked up Alcoholics Anonymous, as I had every morning for a week or two. On July 24, 1984, I actually made that phone call. I talked to a young man on the phone, who quickly realized that he needed to find a woman to talk to me. In a few moments, a woman called me back. We talked for over an hour. She understood me! She had done the same kinds of things I had! After an hour on the phone, like "closing a deal", she asked me to go to a meeting with her. I told her I couldn't possibly go to a meeting! I had three small children and a husband! My husband was working late and I had no babysitter or car at home. She said she would get a babysitter, pay the babysitter, drive the babysitter to my house, drive me to the meeting, drive me back home, drive the babysitter back home, etc. I was left with NO EXCUSES! I knew I could think of something later, so I agreed to go to the meeting, knowing that I would call her later in the day and tell her my new excuse. But later in the day I started shaking, as I knew I would. And for some reason, I didn't take a drink - I just shook. And for some reason, by about 3:00 p.m., I knew I had to go to that meeting. And I did go to that meeting. And since that night, I have never had any doubt that being a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous is what I want most in the world.

There are tears of gratitude as I write that I did not have a drink of alcohol that day or any other day since. That is a miracle. I have done the steps - repeatedly, I have mostly always had a sponsor (I have had sponsors get drunk, etc.,) I have always gone to meetings, I have always worked with others to one degree or another... but I believe that it is the Grace of God that keeps me sober. Once again, I cannot say how grateful I am for a loving God and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I want to say that I started this blog in September 05 and since being "discovered" by Trudge in late November, you sober bloggers have added to my sobriety immensely. I love blogging! I love the exposure to the new people. I love the diversity of us! You guys have really been amazing. Thank you!

I need to get out of here to a meeting. I still have to wash my hair, curl it, put on make up, get dressed and be out of here in a half hour!

"Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of the past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you - until then." -- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 164

46 comments:

JJ said...

HAPPY AA BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY AA BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY AA BIRTHDAY DEAR MC
HAPPY AA BIRTHDAY TO YOU
I see you,
JJ
22 years.....20 more than me........that is amazing and so are you.

Scott W said...

Those 'one days' sure add up fast. I am grateful to those who have blazed the trail ahead of me, those who have kept the lamps lit and to those who have yet to come through the doors to show me what it is still like out there.

Congratulations, Mary Catherine, a lamp burning brightly.

Gooey Munster said...

I am so grateful that I get spiritual medicine and guidence from those whp have trudged before me. This glorius idea of HOPE is passed down by seeing someone that was once living in darkness become reborne and now is living honestly, and courageously. Good days and bad, you have trudged 22 years of continuous sobriety . . .

Did I tell you what a miracle you are?

Made a card for YOU!

dAAve said...

Congratulations on another Birthday.
I'm so glad i get to join today's party. I am bringing the Cheetos. They're my favorite and I don't like dips with onion flavour.

JJ said...

I just brought in two big pitchers - one full of mango iced tea and the other filled with ginger iced tea. The party has official begun. Look MC you house might get a little messy before it's over...I hear dAAve's a sloppy eater.
woohooo,
jj

Scott W said...

I've got guacamole and corn chips, cream cheese/pick-a-peppa rollups, some crudites with sour cream/herb dip and soem snickerdoodles. Got on my party kaftan, too. Whoohoo!!!

dAAve said...

Her is what I'm bringing with the Cheetos ...

The soya bean is a good source of Omega-3 - especially for non fish-eating vegetarians, and this is the unlikely magic ingredient of the new range of fruit smoothies by Mrs Crimble. This comes in various fruit flavours including orange and mango, and strawberry and banana, and, they reassure us, the carbohydrate component of the soya bean has been removed so you don't get the usual soya flavour.

So, take that, Scott.

Tennessee Santa said...

Time has been good I think I will bring ice cream to the party

Mary Christine said...

I am so excited about everyone coming over! I am going to barbeque steaks, Okay? I will also make a great big cheesecake with raspberry sauce. Yummy. This is going to be fun!

Anonymous said...

oh geeese MC...I have tears and goosebumps while I type this .
I cannot tell you how touching and inspiring it is for me to read blogs like yours so truly grateful to share and learn among others who work at living well and true for themselves.Thank you.
I know today you have tender engagements that are surely going to remind you just how grateful we can all be , living clean and sober.
Happy 22 AA Birthday Mary Christine.
Love Tab XO
All my love XO Tab

Scott W said...

Take that where, Dave? I am surprised you are a fan of Soya, you are usually not so adventurous! Anyway, I look good in my kaftan, SO THERE!

Anonymous said...

LOL@Scottw

...I will bring the grape spritzers and unsalted pretzels..lol

Anonymous said...

Happy AA Birthday, Mary Christine! 158 days sober here today.

You are a role model and an old-timer that I can look up to. Thanks!

JJ said...

Oh shit I forgot what time the stripper were coming. The menu is shaping up! Wait....cake.....I'll bring cake.

Scott you found your kaftan? Awesome! I haven't seen you in it since the last party.

I see you,
JJ

Sober @ Sundown said...

Congratulations, and Happy Birthday, MC.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say Congrats!

Anonymous said...

JJ, I'll be there about 8:30pm.

Unknown said...

Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
For shes a jolly good fellow
For shes a jolly good fellow

Congrats on 22 Mary Christine....

I am making a chocolate truffle cake for the partay, yum yum.

Have a wonderful day and here is my great big crushing cyber hug (((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

Shannon said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO YOU!!!! HAPPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR WONDERFUL- AWESOME-AWE-INSPIRING DARING-COURAGOUS-LOVELY LADY MARY CHRISTINE

thank you for sharing your start and your tears, I was overcome with gratitude when I read you blog today, thank you for always sharing your expirence stregnth and hope!!!

Shannon said...

I am bringing some CRACK POTATO SALAD!!! we call it crack because its sooo good you'll be addicted... LOL
I will there after work!!!! YAY

JJ said...

Shhhhhhhhhhh I sneaked over to MC's house and hung up some party lights and balloons. Don't tell her.
jj

Carly said...

Happy 22nd Birthday, Mary Christine! Your story about how you came to AA unloosed the tears. You are one of the many women showing me the road to freedom. Thank you and BLESS you!

Mary Christine said...

Too late! I already saw them JJ! It is quite festive already. I am having the time of my life! I love my blogging friends - all of you. I think we need more of those delicious soya smoothies Daave.

lash505 said...

Happy Birthday Mary Catherine. That a big one 22 years and it helps people like me know that it can be done. Thanks for your wisdom in sobriety.

Trudging said...

Wow! HAApy BirthdAAY!

jake said...

I can only say this....YOU ARE SO PRECIOUS......

Mama Dukes said...

Happy Bithday #22 Mary Christine!

Typical Alanon, I'm late for the party but i thought since I've been refferred to as a 'cookie baking bitch Alanon' I'd bring some of your favorites---ahhh giant M& M cookies ok? Choco chip?

Hope you continue to be good to yourself---

Scott M. Frey said...

Big AA/Sober hugs to you MC! You inspire me in so many ways... I am grateful that you hung in there on Day 1 and have made it this far! Thanks to yuor HP and mine, for making you a part of my recovery! I hope you have many more one day at a times in AA!

God Bless!

madameplushbottom said...

Happy Birthday Mary Christine. I am grateful that you have walked this path for 22 years. You give me so much hope and inspiration to keep doing it one day at a time.

Many blessings to you each moment forward.

Meg

Tennessee Santa said...

Alright enough even this is the 30th post it is time to get this party under way. I am HUNGRY and I will take my steak medium. This is really the kind f feast that ol SC can really go for. I will be in the dessert line for seconds.
Lets eat!!!!

tia said...

woohoo! HappyHappy Day!
Where's the Starbucks?

Thanks for your inspiration Mary Christine, you rock!
xoxo

JJ said...

I think I just heard that the neighbors called the cops because we were too loud and dAAve is hogging the bathroom. We better help MC clean up and OMG the chocolate truffle cake...do die for. Wait....is there still crac potato skalad left..I need that recipe and rut roh...I think the police man is at the door....Scott you get it.
JJ

butterflygirl said...

Happy Birthday to you!!

Tennessee Santa said...

Who would of thought that the cops would have to come by to break up the party. It is a good thing I showed them my NP drivers license it gave us just a little more time. I am stuffed the fellowshio was wonderful beyond anything I thought possible. We will have to have more of these virtual birthday parties. They are so much fun. In honor of MC doing up steaks I had a real rib eye off the grille, thanks Mary I am off to bed. FAEA.

dAAve said...

I have to leave ... with the man in the uniform.
See y'all soon.

Recovery Road London said...

Happy birthday.

hmm. Left a message yesterday and it's gone? Odd.

Mary Christine said...

That is odd... I saw your comment yesterday, and indeed, today it is gone.

Thanks everyone. I had the time of my life! (and Daave, I am a little jealous, I thought that cop was cute!)

Scott W said...

....stretch...yawn...I have a food hangover.

JJ said...

OMG..me too Scott. I feel bad I left MC's house such a mess...lol...great party!
I see you,
JJ

Mary Christine said...

I got it all cleaned up - no sweat. It was a joy to clean up after such a great party! Let's do this again real soon.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I actually missed a party! I've never missed a good party before! lol
22 years is amazing, MC -- simply amazing to this NeWCoMeR...
Thanks for sharing all of it with us since September of '05.
Your recovery is truly inspiring.
Peace,
ScOUt

Anonymous said...

I love you guys...!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hope you had a good time MC :)

Daily Piglet said...

Congratulations to you!!! It's an awesome way to live, being sober that is :)

Mike said...

Sorry I am two days late for the party, was not on top of my blogging game this week.

Can I bring anything, how about some seven layer dip?

Happy Birthday Mary, it rocks.

Anonymous said...

Hey what a great site keep up the work its excellent.
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steveroni said...

Well, i really don't know what I'm doing here...but I DO know quite a few of these Peeps.

And now I get to see how to put on a PAR-TEE!!!
Peace,
S