Thank you for such a beautiful share, Rosemary. The way you honored your nephew is so special, and your entire story highlights how much choice and agency we each have. ❤️
Sometimes life can feel like a car crash of escalating events, each one compounding the previous. You’re right feeling all the feelings is hard. Even joy and especially grief and loss. But being present and navigating sober is powerful. You’re doing it with grace. I only wish I’d had the strength to do it earlier. Some days I just want to cry and that’s okay too. 💚
Thank you for your kind words and witnessing, Lisa. Yes, feeling it all is so hard. I buried my grief along with my parents over ten and twenty years ago. I didn’t feel the grief when they each passed. Friends and family members marveled at “how great” i was doing but I legitimately didn’t have awareness that I was denying my feelings. As you know, those feelings came out in unhealthy ways much later. I didn’t truly process either of those losses until recently in sobriety. And I’m still processing.
It’s never too late though . And while sooner might have been better, now is maybe when you were meant to grieve.
I’m old. And I’ve been sober for quite a while. And I can say that I have gradually moved in an almost unconditional/automatic recognition of “everything that happens is an opportunity to learn something about myself. It’s been very slow, since I first started suggestions to that effect. That’s what I’m hearing in your post. Good on you for catching on so soon. Great post!
Lol at you being old. I’ll turn 60 on Monday, so maybe my age has been an asset to “catching on so soon.” Age does have some advantages! I’m staying open to those too!
I’ve also railed against the full throttle pain that I encountered in sobriety - I still revert to that some days. What helps me is reframing the Why me? Why now? To what is this pain/sorrow/hardship here to teach me? I hear that reframe in your share here, too. We are lucky to get there - to the fullness of it all, right?
And yes to the holding both pain and sorrow. Sobriety taught me they are indeed companions.
Your words here so beautifully showcase your love for your nephew. And the way you honored yourself that night of his wake also honored him. Both. ❤️
Oh, Allison. Reading your kind words and that you go through similar paths of resistance just gave me goosebumps. I hate that you both lived through so much grief too and railed against the pain-but it’s the only way out, right? The only way out is through. I’m so grateful you’re here, a survivor and such a supporter to me -and to many. 💚
I’m old. And I’ve been sober for quite a while. And I can say that I have gradually moved into an almost unconditional/automatic recognition of “everything that happens is an opportunity to learn something about myself." It’s been very slow since I first started hearing suggestions to that effect. That’s what I’m hearing in your post. Good on you for catching on so soon. Great post!
Thank you for such a beautiful share, Rosemary. The way you honored your nephew is so special, and your entire story highlights how much choice and agency we each have. ❤️
Thank you so much, Dana, for both your kind words and the opportunity to share once more with the community. 🙏❤️
Thank you. Life is rich when we allow ourselves to feel.
It is! You’re so right, David.
Sometimes life can feel like a car crash of escalating events, each one compounding the previous. You’re right feeling all the feelings is hard. Even joy and especially grief and loss. But being present and navigating sober is powerful. You’re doing it with grace. I only wish I’d had the strength to do it earlier. Some days I just want to cry and that’s okay too. 💚
Thank you for your kind words and witnessing, Lisa. Yes, feeling it all is so hard. I buried my grief along with my parents over ten and twenty years ago. I didn’t feel the grief when they each passed. Friends and family members marveled at “how great” i was doing but I legitimately didn’t have awareness that I was denying my feelings. As you know, those feelings came out in unhealthy ways much later. I didn’t truly process either of those losses until recently in sobriety. And I’m still processing.
It’s never too late though . And while sooner might have been better, now is maybe when you were meant to grieve.
Cry. Scream. Dance. Walk. Journal. Let it out.
Sending a big hug your way. 💔
I needed to hear this. I also been sober since 09/20/2020 I found peace within myself & not to rely on others.
Hi Juanita.
Thank you for letting me know my words resonated with you. This always helps me feel of service-which helps my sobriety.
Congrats on over 4 years if sobriety! Amazing work. 💪🏻 I’m so happy you have found peace. That’s so important.
Great share thank you
Thank you so much, Dan.
I didn't know how much I needed this until I read it. Thank you for sharing this at just the right time for me. A powerful lesson....
Susan. I am grateful my words came to just at the time they were needed. 🙏
I’m old. And I’ve been sober for quite a while. And I can say that I have gradually moved in an almost unconditional/automatic recognition of “everything that happens is an opportunity to learn something about myself. It’s been very slow, since I first started suggestions to that effect. That’s what I’m hearing in your post. Good on you for catching on so soon. Great post!
Lol at you being old. I’ll turn 60 on Monday, so maybe my age has been an asset to “catching on so soon.” Age does have some advantages! I’m staying open to those too!
Thanks for your kind words, Jim.
Such a beautiful share, Rosemary.
I’ve also railed against the full throttle pain that I encountered in sobriety - I still revert to that some days. What helps me is reframing the Why me? Why now? To what is this pain/sorrow/hardship here to teach me? I hear that reframe in your share here, too. We are lucky to get there - to the fullness of it all, right?
And yes to the holding both pain and sorrow. Sobriety taught me they are indeed companions.
Your words here so beautifully showcase your love for your nephew. And the way you honored yourself that night of his wake also honored him. Both. ❤️
Oh, Allison. Reading your kind words and that you go through similar paths of resistance just gave me goosebumps. I hate that you both lived through so much grief too and railed against the pain-but it’s the only way out, right? The only way out is through. I’m so grateful you’re here, a survivor and such a supporter to me -and to many. 💚
Powerful testament that in sobriety life still happens, only not we get to FEEL it. And damn it, it hurts 💔
Beautiful share ✨
I’m old. And I’ve been sober for quite a while. And I can say that I have gradually moved into an almost unconditional/automatic recognition of “everything that happens is an opportunity to learn something about myself." It’s been very slow since I first started hearing suggestions to that effect. That’s what I’m hearing in your post. Good on you for catching on so soon. Great post!
Oh wow. Thank you, Nick. I appreciate you and it helps to know that my story and my words resonate and hopefully help others.