Proud sister....
Find a Conversation
| Wed, 12-09-2009 - 11:40pm |
My brother called this afternoon to check in and see if I was ok or if I was snowed in under 15' snow drifts...LOL We had a fun conversation and lots of laughs. But...
We also talked about that day 27 years ago (12/6) when he took his last drink and stopped using all drugs. I think most of you who know me well know my brother has been recovering for 27 years and know how proud I am of him. He told me about going to his AA meeting this past Sunday and getting his 27 year coin and about retelling a little about his "story." We talked about that last day that he drank...I remember it so well. I was living in CA at the time and by coincidence called home to talk to my Mom and Dad soon after my brother had been arrested for drunk driving with my 4 year old nephew in the car. My Dad went up town and bailed him out of jail and collected my nephew and got him home to his Mom. My brother passed out on the living room couch and didn't remember any of it. Blackouts were a frequent consequence of his drinking with him by that stage. He told me today that when he woke up that day he saw our Mom and Dad sitting at the kitchen table and just knew things were not good. He said he laid on the couch and said to himself, "please God, help me." He said a calmness came over him and somehow he knew everything was somehow going to be ok.
He never picked up a drink again after that.
When I called that afternoon he was still pretty drunk. Our conversation did not go well and I told him I never wanted to talk to him again...ever. I just couldn't forgive him for almost killing my only nephew. (He had run his car into a building in town and then sped off.) My Mom begged me to understand and not be so harsh...I wouldn't listen. I just hated him at that moment. It was a few years later that I started going to Alanon and learned so much about the disease of alcoholism. By then I had forgiven my brother and our love continued to grow.
I know many of you will think I shouldn't have shared this story as it should have been kept anonymous but my brother is very open about his life and his sobriety. He feels if his story is shared it might help others. The Pastor in our church of course knows as do all our family and friends. He was not a nice person while using and you wouldn't recognize him from then to now. But I just wanted to share with you what a proud sister I am. Doesn't mean that he doesn't infuriate me from time to time...after all...he is my brother!!! LOL
I try to live by the following:
"True forgiveness includes total acceptance. And out of acceptance wounds are healed and happiness is possible again." Catherine Marshall



What a story of triumph.
Of course you should tell it and tell it often.
It is a story to be shared and celebrated.
I have heard you say "he used to drink" but it's the first time I have heard the entire story.
Thank you Deb. If you ever heard his "entire" story...which would take days...it would make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!! Part of why I have chosen not to drink alcohol anymore is in honor of him. I never had a problem with alcohol but I found that it never enhanced my life.
I told him you posted his "hanging of the poison sumac" story on your blog and we started laughing about it all over again. Then he told me he's writing a book entitled "You're Not From Around Here Are You?" It will tell of his encounters with the poison sumac, kneeling in the fire ants, getting stung by red wasps, the recent trapping of 11 wood rats in their attic and the killing of the water moccasin in their swimming pool! (And a few others...) He's certainly had come adventures since moving south from Illinois!
Blu your pride just comes through for your brother.
What a beautiful story! It is so hard to forgive the failings of siblings and other family members. You should be proud! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Hugs, Jackie
Thank you for sharing this with us. It's truly a story of hope. I'm so happy you have him in your life to share the good and bad times now.
hugs,
Jacquie
Congratulations to C on his anniversary!
Blu, you and your brother have every reason to be proud. It is my understanding that anyone who has an issue with substance abuse takes recovery one day at a time. Quick math says that the victory for your brother is getting close to 10,000 days. Thank you for sharing your story. It truely is inspirational
Hugs,
Melissa
Blu,
Your brother is someone to be greatly admired.
I knew that the Golden Child had had a drinking problem, Blu, but I don't recall hearing much about it before.