Nora's journey

[paulywogg]

:hug:Nora,that's really sad congrats on 9 months though,man you've come a long way!!! Very proud of you:sohappy:

[SKendall]

Oh, Nora that is just sad. As a therapist she must feel very bad but she did all she could for her and when a person is bent on suicide they don't consider other's feelings.

There is someone else (maybe many) on this forum who defines their day, her mood and her attitude on hubby's mood. I know I used to and my neck and shoulders were always stiff with tension. As you said it was his issue so leave your responsibility for his moods at the door when you walk in. We have so many reminders of life being too short. If we were told how long we would live do you think this world would be so different?

[SKendall]

I forgot to mention Yay on 9 months. I have the same feelings when I look back to when I was drinking and just shudder.

[Glass Half Empty]

Oh Nora - that is truly heartbreaking. That poor woman.

I'm extra proud of you for breaking free of that trap. :hug:

[Sunbeam]

Congrats on nine months, Nora. It truly is a breakout from alcohell, as some call it.

How sad, your therapist's story.

[NoraC]

Thank you all so much. I am so grateful that I have you all here. Even people that I never 'talk' to on here, I read and learn from. These posts have helped me more than I can ever say. :heartbeat:

[Samstone]

yeehaw!! Nora!!!

[Lizann]

Such a sad story Nora! I'm sure it was helpful that your were there for HER, this time around. Congrats on 9 months, that's fantastic! So proud of you!:thumbsup:

[NoraC]

Time for another ramble from me to me......

I am finally being more open and have mentioned to a very few people that I don't drink. It's almost like I'm finally allowing myself to believe that I can do this. That I am doing it........

So, today is 300 days AF. I went and got a tattoo today. Just two simple words but they just hold such meaning to me. "Be happy" So simple.....I can fret, worry, argue, be anxious, mad, sad, regretful, etc. or I can be happy. For some reason those words have meant a lot to me in the past 300 days. I have said those words many times and that has helped me get to a different place.
I told the kid (22 years old) that did it that this was for me. He asked if it was my birthday soon or something. I paused for a couple seconds and then said "I have not had a drink for 300 days" and just smiled at him. He said - that's a long time.
Yes, it is a long time. And I plan on it being for infinity.
I still can't believe that I put it on my arm. But, I want to be able to look down and remind myself. This reminds me how happy I am and that I can be happy - no alcohol.

[NoraC]

Look what I found in my e-mail today. I get e-mails from Tired of Thinking about Drinking. This is what I received today..........sort of fitting, I would say. This covers the two things that got me here and also the two tattoo's I have - taking it one step at a time and being happy.

"Happy to be me"

From Maggie Mae (day 85):

"I realized today that I have missed me for quite some time now ... and missed liking me even more!

Covering up how much I actually drank from everyone turned me into someone who lived a lie, and eventually into someone who didn't even really like anyone anymore because I couldn't be 'myself' and no one really knew and understood me.

I felt isolated and didn't even know I had done it to myself! Booze was a very possessive and deceiving companion of mine, always in my head leading me further and further from the truth and from myself.

I can honestly say I had pretty much forgotten me and it makes me sad that I couldn't see it happening and it makes me glad that I actually woke up one day, decided I didn't ever want to feel like that anymore, or ever again, and changed – just like that – and then I found your blog, and the 100 Days Sober Challenge stared me in the face.

Where I would have been terrified before and known deep deep in my heart that I would never be able to do that, I said yes. And then it was like learning to live all over again. One step in front of the other until I figured how to walk on my own (well, with a little help form my friends and treats).

I'm smiling all evening because I'm happy. Happy to remember me. Happy to be me!!!!"

[Sunbeam]

Nora, what a great accomplishment! Not the 300 days, but recognizing that you can be happy (I believe happier) not drinking, and that you will continue to abstain from alcohol. The more you wrap this around you, the more you will realize that this is the only choice you want. You can have all of your life without alcohol, instead of just what's left after you drink.

[blink]

so happy for you nora. its a massive achievement, made by not giving up trying. well done to you!!

[NoSugar]

You can have all of your life without alcohol, instead of just what's left after you drink.

You really captured it there, Sunbeam. And what was left just kept getting smaller and smaller. Enjoy your 100% life, Nora!

[NoraC]

Oh - thank you all so much. Sunbeam, such a powerful post. Thank you.
Yes, NS are so right - my life had gotten smaller & smaller. about non-existent to be honest.

Thank you for always being supportive thru all of this. :heart:

[Glass Half Empty]

You deserve to be happy, lovely Nora. You've not only achieved a major milestone, but you've done it during a very hard time in your life. You've been putting everyone else first during all this time, and I've never heard you whine or complain - you've just gone ahead and done it. You're a very inspiring woman! :hug: