Thank you so much for re-sharing this article. I felt the urge to highlight, like I do when I'm reading in the Libby or Kindle app. Congrats on how you've advocated for yourself over the years.
Every month is dry now for me since I stopped drinking in 2018. I don't deserve any congrats for that. I don't think I was ever addicted to alcohol per se; moreso the social aspect; the habit. I'll be honest with you here, and this sounds very egotistical and shallow, but it is what it is: I broke my ankle (non-drinking-related) and was facing several weeks on crutches. I didn't want to risk a fall during that time, so I stopped drinking. No biggie. But when I saw the effect on the scale from cutting out those empty calories, I was sold on sobriety! I know, not exactly the testimony to impress at an AA meeting. I realize so many others have had horrific struggles trying to quit. My grandfathers on both sides were alcoholics and destroyed their families. My piddly little sobriety story makes me feel sheepish.
Anyway - just wanted to say one of my highlights in your story would've been about how small things impact our lives in big ways. I would say the one I think of the most is the conversation I had with my grad school prof a million years ago and he pointed out how many world religions have very similar origin stories - sky daddies, virgin births, savior myths, etc. Wowza. The scales fell from this naive Southern Baptist gal's eyes, and I've been an atheist ever since.
"...random, everyday moments like a casual comment over pad Thai can drive me to question everything I think I know." Exactly. One day at my job waiting tables at the IHOP, a co-worker was telling us he was going to cut down on his hours and start taking classes at the community college. I envied him and said I wished I could go but I had to work full-time and I had a kid so I couldn't. An older waitress overheard us, popped her head into our little huddle and said, "Where there's a will, there's a way"
I was startled but thought it must be true. My next day off I pedaled over to the college (in the Miami heat) and found out I qualified for financial aid and child care assistance. I got registered and started attending classes. I was still working full-time, on my own with a small child and only a bicycle for transportation and for two years I worked or went to school every single day. It took 5 years instead of 4 but I graduated and got my degree. All because of seven words spoken by a coworker.
Thank you so much for re-sharing this article. I felt the urge to highlight, like I do when I'm reading in the Libby or Kindle app. Congrats on how you've advocated for yourself over the years.
Every month is dry now for me since I stopped drinking in 2018. I don't deserve any congrats for that. I don't think I was ever addicted to alcohol per se; moreso the social aspect; the habit. I'll be honest with you here, and this sounds very egotistical and shallow, but it is what it is: I broke my ankle (non-drinking-related) and was facing several weeks on crutches. I didn't want to risk a fall during that time, so I stopped drinking. No biggie. But when I saw the effect on the scale from cutting out those empty calories, I was sold on sobriety! I know, not exactly the testimony to impress at an AA meeting. I realize so many others have had horrific struggles trying to quit. My grandfathers on both sides were alcoholics and destroyed their families. My piddly little sobriety story makes me feel sheepish.
Anyway - just wanted to say one of my highlights in your story would've been about how small things impact our lives in big ways. I would say the one I think of the most is the conversation I had with my grad school prof a million years ago and he pointed out how many world religions have very similar origin stories - sky daddies, virgin births, savior myths, etc. Wowza. The scales fell from this naive Southern Baptist gal's eyes, and I've been an atheist ever since.
Thanks again for sharing your story.
No. I mean she knew I started but we didn't stay in touch for long. I had to change jobs often to accommodate my school schedule...
"...random, everyday moments like a casual comment over pad Thai can drive me to question everything I think I know." Exactly. One day at my job waiting tables at the IHOP, a co-worker was telling us he was going to cut down on his hours and start taking classes at the community college. I envied him and said I wished I could go but I had to work full-time and I had a kid so I couldn't. An older waitress overheard us, popped her head into our little huddle and said, "Where there's a will, there's a way"
I was startled but thought it must be true. My next day off I pedaled over to the college (in the Miami heat) and found out I qualified for financial aid and child care assistance. I got registered and started attending classes. I was still working full-time, on my own with a small child and only a bicycle for transportation and for two years I worked or went to school every single day. It took 5 years instead of 4 but I graduated and got my degree. All because of seven words spoken by a coworker.
I am moved and thinking about the proper way to respond. Thank you for sharing.