The Difference Between Me & You

In the early days attending AA meetings, the first 6-8 weeks or so, I felt like I didn’t fit in. From my skewed perspective, these were NOT my people. They were addicts and alcoholics, I just drank too much and couldn’t stop. Don’t you see the difference? They had a certain edge about them, real and honest,…

Born Again

I remember when I had my daughter many years ago, and her father and I were preparing to leave the hospital to take her home, just 23 1/2 short hours after she was born. I was in a daze, still coming to grips with the fact that I had birthed a child, walking gingerly with…

Jennifer, Take the Wheel

For 2016 and beyond, I gave up texting and driving. WHAT?! Hasn’t everyone given up that dangerous behavior? Who in the world still DOES that?    I have no idea, but I suspect most people would claim they don’t text and drive, and in my unofficial research (driving), I’d bet they’re lying. But maybe I’m…

Keep it 100

I love round numbers. When I was born, I weighed in at exactly 10 pounds - dead on. No ounces. Perfect 10. BOOM! The nurses were like holy shit, we've got a big 'un here. It was back in the day so my mom was sedated for the whole event. (Quite thankful she was, I…

Bitter, party of one

The 4th step of 12 in AA is about taking a thorough moral inventory of yourself, and that begins by writing down your resentments. Resentments toward your family, the world, yourself, your situation, your car, your dog, your job, your coffee cup, your high school coach, etc. Anything at all that you may be a…

Days and days and now months and months

Today marks 81 days of sobriety. Nothing special about this number, no coin at my meeting, no confetti cannons raining bits of paper down on my head. Just the happy and content feeling that comes with a clear head and heart and gratitude for this number and the prospect of it going up each day.

Just Act Natural

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! For those of us who don't drink alcohol, we can often pose a mental or emotional challenge for friends who want us to join their holiday festivities. Some sound advice for hosts and hostesses on this lovely holiday: In short, don't be a jackass. We don't need special handling or attention. We're capable…

A Very Thin Line

Sometimes things happen in life that are patently unfair. And knowing that this life doesn't owe me anything doesn't make it a single bit easier to swallow. I've always taken the high road when someone wrongs me. Always walked away quietly and pretended it didn't bother me, maintaining my dignity, hoping this would cause a…

September 14, 2015

The day I came to, and the day I woke up. Finally.