Love Letter on Ten Months Sober

An hour ago, I was reading a wonderful post — Challenged by She Hid Behind the Glass about being on day 98 of Belle’s 100 day challenge. Because I have been following her blog, I felt this uplifting sense of accomplishment and joy, as if I had achieved something great myself. I wrote her this note in her comments section:

You should be proud! Did you think you were going to make it? It’s fun to read your first few posts after all this progress. You are really a different person. Congratulations!!!
xoxo
Shawna

As I was getting ready to sign off, I felt this intuitive nagging to stay focused instead, and to reread what I wrote. (I am used to this kind of “guidance,” and when I get these strong feelings, I stop what I’m doing and try to see what is being pointed out to me.)

I reread the words, and thought about my own earlier blogs, and how different I now was from the desperate person who had written them. And then it occurred to me — it was a milestone for me as well. Ten months! Unbelievable. I never thought it was possible.

I read the note again and realized that in a world where we are too hard on ourselves, and are struggling with life as well as addiction, I had written a love letter to myself.

You should be proud! You are really a different person. Congratulations!!! xoxo

And I even signed my name.