Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving

By the Grace of God and the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, this is my twenty-fifth sober Thanksgiving.  Words could not begin to convey to you what this means to me.

I have had twenty-five Thanksgivings when the family could invite me without too much worry.  (although there was one period when I was likely to bring around "socially unacceptable" men with tattoos, etc.... oh, those were the days!) In these 25 holidays, there have been lean years, and prosperous years, happy years and sad years, but they have all been sober years.  

I used to laugh at people who said "my worst day sober is better than my best day drunk," but I think I could say that today.  I am just so grateful for this wonderful life of sobriety, with all its joys and pains.  And I am so grateful for the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous where I have made life-long friends.  The quality of our friendships is unlike any other.  

I am glad that I learned to be happy with what I have instead of looking for the next big thing to make me happy.  I am glad I learned to focus on the people around my table instead of worrying about the pie's crust being a bit too brown, and noticing that there is a stain on one of the napkins.  

I am going to enjoy this day, and I thank God for it.  

9 comments:

Scott W said...

Napkin stains? Oh my dear God, NO!

Bill said...

I hope you have a wonderful, warm & cozy, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for all of your wonderful posts and your experience strength and hope that you share! Hope your day is wonderful and so happy to hear that it just gets better.
G~*

Laura said...

Beautiful reminder of keeping our heart full of gratitude. There is ALWAYS something we can be grateful for.

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks MC, and God Bless. ( and thanks Scott, I laughed out loud at your comment)

Pammie said...

happy thanksgiving my friend.
from your fully stuffed fat friend in Texas.

dAAve said...

Here I am. Late, but here.
See ya tomorrow!!

marycath said...

Hi, I am new to you. I picked up my 1 yr chip last Friday. I am grateful for memories today...my sister, my best friend, is dying in ICU. I haven't checked the answering machine yet on the land line that like you I am about to disconnect. Maybe tomorrow.
Mary Catherine

Syd said...

Those cranberries look great. I'm glad that you had a day for rest, reflection, and gratitude.