It seems a nice thing to do for myself, to say "Congratulations" to myself for staying sober for 5 years. Tomorrow (Octber 18th) is my anniversary. Wow. What a great feeling to know I gave myself the gift of sobriety. It isn't always the easiest choice. There are days when I crave the disappearing act that alcohol provides me. There are days when I just plain miss the taste of a hearty dark beer, a guinness, or a rich dark red wine. Summer days, of course, I miss the famous gin and tonic. Who knows how many times in the last 5 years I have chosen, instead, to exercise, or have an ice tea with a lemon, or eat a dark truffle, or just cry. In those moments, I want relief, from sadness, from fear, from anger. I am reminded by those who are sober that these feelings will pass and that alcohol won't help. I go to yoga and find things that make me laugh. What never passes is the pride I feel for staying sober, the long-term relief of having made this choice. Congratulations to me, I say. Cheers.
