Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Golden Shoes

These little sandals are among the things I purchased yesterday. Talk about impractical! Going virtually barefoot at a convention where there will be 50,000 people - unruly alcoholic people! That is just silly. But you can bet I will be doing it.

Tonight my daughter came over and we discussed our plans for the trip over fish tacos. On Saturday I asked a friend if he wanted to ride with us and he said yes. So, we will have three to our car. It will be a challenge for me because I will be with two enthusiastic (slightly manic?) alcoholics who are much younger than I am. I am going to have to be pretty vocal about my needs I think. Like I actually need to stop to go to the bathroom and to eat, and I need to sleep at night and I need to rest. This is going to be fun. Oh, that might sound sarcastic, but really, truly, this is going to be fun.

In over 25 years, I have never been able to make an International Convention, and here is why:
  • 1985 - I was sober less than a year. Friends asked me to join them, and I didn't understand why I would want to go such a long way - Montreal.
  • 1990 - I lived in a suburb of Vancouver, BC - I was on the host committee for the International in Seattle. I had my green vest, etc. I was so excited. My husband asked me to join him as he went to Alberta to work there for a month in June. Part of the deal was that I would be back in time for the convention. That, like many things he promised, never happened. I thought my heart would break.
  • 1995 - Sober over 10 years and divorced, I had just started my job and thought I could make the trip to San Diego. Sadly, I did not have enough money or time off to make the trip.
  • 2000 - I had just graduated from college and started my first management job. I was starting my graduate program and a trip anywhere was simply not on my radar.
  • 2005 - I just didn't make it to Toronto. I know that I did watch the flag ceremony on my computer and really wished that I was there.
This is a dream trip for me. I am excited. I am thrilled that my daughter is excited. You know, last September when my little girl was sober for only 8 months, it seemed kind of like a nutty gamble to register her for a sober activity almost a year away. But it is now only 2 weeks away, and she is still sober. She is happy to be going.

"The age of miracles is still with us. Our own recovery proves that!" -- Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 153

13 comments:

Hope said...

I am happy for both of you that she is going.

dAAve said...

And apparently, we are not a glum lot.

Pammie said...

I would be more excited if I had not gained 11 lbs. after my loss of 24.
Miss SoberPants and her husband want to go with me and share my room which is great, but they never registered. Unfortunately one can not even get into the open meetings without a registration. They can not afford the $220.00. Last night they came up with a brilliant plan...fellowship in the hotels and streets are free and so are San Antonio meetings!

Em said...

oooh, and the shoes are so cute :)

Scott M. Frey said...

one day will find me at an international convention... have fun and travel safely!

izzy said...

enjoy ! for sure, It would be wonderful to have the time and money.
Grateful to be watching and listening
from afar.

Willa said...

I wish I was going! They've been talking about it for months at our meetings! Have some great fun there! Again, wish I was going!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you to be going with your daughter!
Oh, Mary! I walked around all day Saturday with "un" sensible shoes on and I think that ids why my back has been killing me all week, or maybe from the three falls I have sustained in four weeks. LOL!

They are very Egyptian goddessy!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog and your photos. Can't wait to hear all about the trip and the convention.

Syd said...

It sounds like an interesting adventure. I know that you will enjoy the convention. So much to see and so many workshops. Awesome.

Dr24Hours said...

I hope you have a wonderful time, Mary.

Kathy Lynne said...

That is great that you and your daughter are going together. I've never been as I was never sober in any of those years...would love to go but our family trip in May took the bite out of the finances...I can't self justify an additional trip..but 2015 I AM THERE! It helps to know that this is your first trip...I don't have to do everything right now...which is what my instinct wants.

Anonymous said...

Hi Again

I am 8 yrs sober now and I had the chance to make the Conference In Toronto that was an awesome experience. I have a few friends from here that are making this one in Texas they are leaving Fredericton this weekend.
Wish I could have made the trip too . Guess its not in the plans this time..

debbie