This is going to be a very exciting week for me. Saturday I will be attending an annual reunion, with my wife and hopefully my best friend, put on by the last inpatient rehab I was a patient at.  In early sobriety I attended it several years in a row but then stopped, sometimes using excuses like its a 3 hour drive  away or I have only seen one other person I recognize as staying recovered except for a dear friend of mine whom I stay in contact with. I am going to attend after not going for over 10 years. God has always asked if I would go to any lengths to stay sober and I have answered, “yes”, however as important as this reunion should be to me and my continued effort to stay sober I failed to participate. So going forward I am making a pledge to attend every year possible just to add another level of protection to my sobriety.

One the the things I look forward to doing is seeing and hugging the counselor I feel such a deep appreciation for. She was there at one of the lowest points in my life and through a genuine interest in my well being, and through compassion, she got through to me with regards that my life could get better if I find God again and follow a program of recovery.I have stayed in contact with her annually but to see her again will truly be special. I always give thanks to my saviors which are  God, Family, a Special Counselor and a lot of Good People along the way in making my recovery from alcoholism possible.  It took me five impatient rehabs, seven outpatient rehabs, three mental institution stays, numerous detox centers, emergency room visits and jail to finally get back to God and Her. After suffering for many years God and my other saviors performed a miracle and provide encouragement which i strongly belived saved my life for which I am forever grateful for.

In any case there will be others there to give thanks to at the reunion, good food and recovery speakers to listen to. In the past after the key speakers were finished any one else who felt compelled had the opportunity to speak about their recovery, time permitting. I believe that if I have the opportunity I will pray to God to give me the courage to speak and share my wonderful gifts of sobriety.

My wish is that God, Family and Good People along the way be there for you in  newly found sobriety and/or your continued recovery. God Bless.