Recovery heals more than just your alcoholism.

Getting sober is one of the most painful but amazing journeys. Approaching my first year now, so many things have changed. Some were good, some were bad but all of them while sober. I attempted it over 20 years ago but this time, I was truly empty and ready to receive whatever was offered to help me heal. This time, it would stick.
I started by clearing away the wreckage of my past, piece by piece. It has been a little slow-moving, but it is getting there. I have learned new coping skills, moved across country, and changed jobs. I walked away from a mentally abusive marriage and briefly dated a man that truly IS different than all the rest, keeping our friendship intact even after we realized we were not a perfect fit. If you know me in person, you understand what an accomplishment that is for me.
The nightmares from my childhood and accumulated traumas are less frequent now. Sometimes, I even manage to sleep longer than an hour or two at night. I have released of many long-held resentments, finally offered forgiveness to some where it was warranted and am working on many long overdue apologies. In all of that, I am finding myself.
I am not sure what the future holds but I am excited to see what it has in store. I just hope it is full of many moments that help me be the mother, daughter, grandmother, and woman that I was always meant to be.