Thursday, March 01, 2012

Thirty-three years ago today

I gave birth to beautiful twin daughters.  I could tell you how nice this was, but I have photographic evidence to the contrary.  I know I shouldn't put a photo of myself on here, but it is so old, you would never know me by it (especially the 80s hair!).  

So, there I was, with little twins on my lap and a bloody mary in front of me.  Obviously in the middle of the day.  My bro is smoking a cig, and I am sure I was too.  No one looks too happy.  This photo was lost to me until my darling niece posted it on facebook, much to my horror.  And please keep in mind that the picture was folded right down the middle of my face, which adds to the menace of my expression.  

My daughters are now 5 years older than I was in that picture.  The little unhappy baby on my left (your right) is now sober over 3 years.  The other little unhappy baby has a masters degree and a great career.  

Thank God (and I do mean that literally) I got sober when those little girls were only 5 years old.  They have no memory of their mother being drunk.  If that was all I got out of being sober, that would be enough, but obviously, it wasn't all I got.

Thank you God for the loving care you take of us drunks.  

11 comments:

Annette said...

What a touching post. Memories of a more difficult time and then finding redemption. Absolutely beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I treasure old photographs; I'm keeper of the memories in my family. My daughter has the same feelings for the past, and I'm slowly turning the "artifacts" over to her.

I absolutely love the moment caught here. You seem overwhelmed and just a little put out not being able to concentrate on drinking. Your brother is oblivious to helping you in any way. The little ones have no idea what lies ahead. It's the 70's by the decor and hair style. That's the beauty of the camera, seeing how life, how people have changed. Pictures can be bittersweet, but in this picture at least 3 people have a life they never imagined.

Pammie said...

The caption should read "I don't know any other way to do this."
I can't help but wonder what your nieces intentions were(?)

Mary LA said...

Happy birthday to your wonderful daughters!

dAAve said...

Cool picture.
Happy birthday, girls!

Mary Christine said...

I believe this photo was taken in 1980 - I don't know the girls were born in March 1979, they look like they're a year old here?

And my niece said this picture summed up all the years we had lived in a small town in New Mexico together.

Syd said...

Happy birthday to your girls, MC. Well, having twins must have been something else. Can't imagine. Overwhelmed--yes. Coping--not so good. The important thing about the past is that we learn from it. And you have learned through AA and your HP to be who you are today. That is awesome. Not recognizable from who you were back then.

Furtheron said...

we were talking at a meeting the other night about blackouts and then longer periods where you were lost in the drink... sadly I remember very very little of my daughter between 3 and 8 the last 5 years of my drinking... However now I have a son who excited calls me with his uni exam results... a daughter who txts me when she finishes her French GCSE exam... All the blessings of no longer being tied to the bottle

SoberMomWrites said...

Happy Birthday to your girls and congratulations to you for raising them so well.

Be well and celebrate well.

ScottF said...

We've all come such a long way, despite our best efforts, eh?

God Bless the birthdate of your girls...

shadowlands said...

"Thank you God for the loving care you take of us drunks."

Amen and God bless you and all yours, now and forever. xx