Saturday, December 10, 2011

10,000 Days

My sobriety countdown
For my 10,000th day of sobriety, I think I will go out with my running club this morning.  Then I will go to a movie with a friend.  After the movie, I will go grocery shopping and come home and make dinner for the boyfriend.  All day long I will be thanking God for his incredible limitless grace.  

I watch other alcoholics, in meetings and on blogs, and they astound me with their wonderful working of this program.  They are busy with service work and self-improvement.  They have had spiritual awakenings and rigorously live by these principles.  

I am sorry, but that is not my story.  I have screwed up absolutely everything that could have been screwed up.  In my first years of sobriety, I actually left meetings and made fun of people I met there.  I had friends who were happy to join me in this past time.  I put WAY more effort into my career than into my program.  I lost custody of my kids when I was 6 years sober.  My behavior with men was less than exemplary.  I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.

By the Grace of God, and when you behave like this it is clear that it is the Grace of God, I have not had a drink for 10,000 days.  

Let me also be quick to add that there were a few things I did right.  Like I went to meetings, I never stopped doing that.  I got a sponsor.  I tried to help other alcoholics.  I usually had one or another suffering alcoholic camped out on my couch in those early years (which helped me to lose custody of my kids because sometimes these were unsavory characters).  

But in balance, I don't think this small amount of work could possibly account for the tremendous bounty of blessings I have received.  

When I could do better, I did do better.  What a miraculous thing to find that suddenly you are a functional person in your community, in your workplace, in your family!  

I am so very grateful for God's grace and the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.  They have made my life worth living.  I can report that I actually have a peace of mind and I am happy about my life today.  This is amazing news for someone who has been suicidal for a large percentage of her life.  I am grateful for the people I have known over the years, and that includes quite a few bloggers.  I am grateful for this small community of sober souls.  

I better stop gushing about how grateful I am and put that gratitude into action by getting on with my day.  

Thanks and Love,
Mary Christine

16 comments:

Lou said...

Thanks for being human and vulnerable. It's inspiring.

Pammie said...

Yahooo 10,000 days!
I continue to be amazed that God keeps showing up every single day for folks like us.
His grace must be endless...don't you think....sweet candied yam?

Anonymous said...

That's a long damn time!!! Love your blog.

Anonymous said...

Mary; As you will soon note you've made "Another Trip Around the Sun" 60 Total....Shout Joy & Live Peace! That is Keeping It Simple.

shadowlands said...

Hi Mary, I started a new blog as I had problems with the other one. I have been popping by this week and wanted to stop and say Happy ten thousandth birthday day!!!

dAAve said...

That's fAAntAAstic!!

In a few hours, it will be 240,000 hours.

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

Wow !~! I love that counter-must be available online somewhere, You and I are close in our counts Congratulations, MC, you rock. I read you every day and am blessed by your words to be thankful for my own sobriety and to ask for help for all who need it.

above had typo

Willa said...

Congratulations on 10,000 days!!!

You continue to be an inspiration for me. I'm glad I found you in my early months of sobriety. I love your honesty and your stories. It's just enough to stay sober and not be perfect.

atomic momma said...

Congratulations on 10,000 days of sobriety. That is truly an accomplishment. I so appreciate your honesty, humility and grace

Mary LA said...

How wonderful that you have 10 000 days!

I believe all of us who are sober are walking miracles. We all have aspirational aspects and we all have brokenness. It took me a while to realise that there is nothing to protect, we can share the vulnerability. I love your story because the grace is there at every point.

Syd said...

It is indeed a miracle for you and others who have found a solution through a Higher Power. So glad that you are here and share your life with us.

Debbi said...

I know you won't mind my adding my good wishes a day late, since I spent your 10,000th day with my little granddaughter. God is so good, so very good.

Trailboss said...

WOW! Good job Missy!

Elizabeth said...

Happy belated 10,000! I love this post and get so much joy from reading your blog. Well done!

Rehab ranch said...

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