Sunday, August 02, 2009

Sobriety is So Good

Oh, what a good day was had by me and my daughter. She was so nervous about doing the triathlon. We got there and got my transition area set up, and then we went to set up her transition area. She placed her bike on the rack, and I looked at the above scene... which was right next to her bike. On top of the towel, in a young woman's transition area, was a big book! So, my daughter had a kindred soul right next to her as she was getting ready for the race.

My race was good. My daughter's was great (her time was 20 minutes faster than mine). I was finished long before her, so I got to watch her cross the finish line (older people start first). To watch this young woman come back to life is almost more joy than one mother's heart can hold.

I had the privilege of walking with a woman during the "run" portion of the race. I started talking with her as I started, and discovered she was a breast cancer survivor, and quickly realized she was such a special person, I asked if she would mind if I walked with her. It was her first tri, so she was happy to have someone along. We had a great time. It was nice to walk, even though we were walking pretty fast.

It was a hot day, in the middle of a cold summer. One day last week the high temperature was only in the 50ºs, so I am not used to 90ºs. I was fried by the time I was done with the race.

I am grateful to be a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous. It has enabled me to do things I never even dreamed of when I got to AA and thought it was the End of The World....

Oh, what we don't know and could never dream...

11 comments:

Ed G. said...

I'm so happy for you!!!

Blessings and aloha...

Lou said...

Those BB's are popping up everywhere!

Anonymous :) said...

To watch this young woman come back to life. What a blessing! We watched our daughter swim the other day, just one lap, and laugh. And every move she makes is a miracle. Your daughter is an inspiration and so are you.

dAAve said...

WOW!
That's some good stuff.
I bet you're just walkin' on air.

Gin said...

There was so much love, beauty, and recovery in this post. I wish I had been on hand to witness it, but you described it beautifully.

Scott W said...

Lovely, just lovely.

Trailboss said...

What joy to watch your daughter. That is great!

Syd said...

It sounds like so many great things were happening at that Tri. I'm so glad for you and your daughter. Have a great day.

garden-variety drunk said...

I love the G-dshot of seeing that obviously well-read Big Book at the start of the race. Congrats on finishing another tri!

diane d said...

Awesome!!!!!!!!!

(And when I was complaining about my son being stuck in Denver....Denver was not the problem, it was him being stuck anywhere!)

Carol said...

I think it is so cute how you photograph your stuff.