My son wrote this in Stay Close about getting and staying sober: I was terrified – faced with getting clean, again. With nothing but failed attempts to reference, sobriety felt impossible. It’s far easier to want to change your life than to actually do it. Following through with the process takes courage, and I was scared.
My reflection: Dr. MacAfee told me, “Your son knows how to live in addiction – in the chaos of court systems and legal problems. He knows how to lie, deceive, and manipulate. Now he needs to learn how to live a transparent life – how to live clean and honest, how to live with serenity.”
Today’s Promise to consider: It takes courage to change: Courage for our loved ones and courage for us. Dr. MacAfee explained that when the using stops a period of grief for all the lost time, the years gone by, the people hurt, the trail of destruction is inevitable. He said, “The grief will be hard, but it’s also a sweet time. Savor it.” As a parent, I, too, felt the grief of all the lost time, the years gone by, and the people hurt. Today I will have the courage to change the things I can. Instead of pointing out how others need to change, I’ll start with me.
This is a so true. I never thought of it this way. Sometimes it is just the courage to go on one day at a time
Thanks, Karen. You’re right — “sometimes is just the courage to go one one day at a time.” …sometimes just five minutes at a time. I join you in prayer and hope.
Yes five minutes to one minute at a time. Today I struggled with something that happened four years ago and the consequences of four years ago continue to be part of my sons life and mine. It is a family disease. Thank you Libby for all your wisdom and for you’re sons courage to share his journey ❤️
Dear Karen, Yes, yes, I agree 100% — addiction is a family disease. You were struggling with something that happened years ago. I understand and know that feeling. The long-term consequences of addiction continue to ripple through the family, even years after our loved one has found sobriety. You are not alone. I’m right there with you. xo
Each of your Thursday meditations has been so valuable to me since I found your website a little over a year ago. I have learned to take each day that my son is alive for its value and realize that whenever he has a setback to “stay close”. Staying close while he regains his “courage” to continue the fight is what is most important.
Dearest Tanya, Thank you so much for your compassionate message. The idea of ‘staying close’ made all the difference in our lives as my son struggled to find sobriety. You’re right – setbacks happen, and our children need to regain their courage to fight back. So do we. I join you in prayer and hope. xoxo
Well done Libby! Yes, it has to start with us, only we can change, it’s up to every individual to focus on our own lives, we have to help ourselves, as well as others.
Be happy Libby and family, thank you for your thoughts and insights.
Love Angela ❤️
Ps…one day and one step at a time!