lately
So... I haven't been around much for months now. Just posted icons and whatnot. Lots of whys... suddenly I feel like writing something here though.
My daughter has been in a rehab treatment program in Southern California since December 19. I have spent pretty much every weekend since then either flying or driving down to support her and participate in family group, and other related things like a week at the Betty Ford Center learning more about addiction and recovery and co-dependency. It's been a difficult but amazing journey. She has been clean and sober for 90 days as of yesterday. I'm very proud of her, and what she has accomplished in recovery so far. She has been working very hard, and really embracing the program. Her personal honesty is quite remarkable. I am very optimistic about her future. Even if she does relapse at some point I have a deep faith that she will find her way back to sobriety again, stronger and wiser. hopefully she won't feel the need to relapse, but of course I have no control over that.
Going through this has made it even more obvious that I have spent years on recovery cut off from the community of sobriety. I started going to AA meetings for the first time since moving to Petaluma (12 years). I have met some really fantastic women at meetings and am grateful for the nudge from the universe to start building relationships among sober people. I realize that every relationship I have had since getting sober has been with people who use. Kind of stunning when I sat down and thought about it.
Anyway, that's been what has been going on in my world. I'm getting ready for her to come home, probably next weekend. She will need to attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days, and will need 24 hour supervisions for those first 90 days. Her dad was initially involved in her recovery, but has chosen to stay in his addiction, so will not be involved in parenting after her release. Their relationship will continue on a casual basis, with Heather in the position to choose when to spend time with him, as long as he is not using in front of her, and they can meet in a safe public venue. I should not need to have any further direct contact with him, barring an emergency. You can imagine how much of a relief that is. The man has been the bane of my existence for the last 15 years. Other than him being struck dead by lightning, this is the next best outcome as far as I'm concerned. Of course, it is also my job as her mom to deal with my feelings about him separately from her. I have a small effigy I burn at night with little matchsticks. Heh heh. Just kidding.
I tried to upload some icons recently and found out that Lj has broken the scrapbook, so I won't be able to post them until that gets fixed. Until then, hope you gals are well, and that your lives are sweet and kind. Namaste.
My daughter has been in a rehab treatment program in Southern California since December 19. I have spent pretty much every weekend since then either flying or driving down to support her and participate in family group, and other related things like a week at the Betty Ford Center learning more about addiction and recovery and co-dependency. It's been a difficult but amazing journey. She has been clean and sober for 90 days as of yesterday. I'm very proud of her, and what she has accomplished in recovery so far. She has been working very hard, and really embracing the program. Her personal honesty is quite remarkable. I am very optimistic about her future. Even if she does relapse at some point I have a deep faith that she will find her way back to sobriety again, stronger and wiser. hopefully she won't feel the need to relapse, but of course I have no control over that.
Going through this has made it even more obvious that I have spent years on recovery cut off from the community of sobriety. I started going to AA meetings for the first time since moving to Petaluma (12 years). I have met some really fantastic women at meetings and am grateful for the nudge from the universe to start building relationships among sober people. I realize that every relationship I have had since getting sober has been with people who use. Kind of stunning when I sat down and thought about it.
Anyway, that's been what has been going on in my world. I'm getting ready for her to come home, probably next weekend. She will need to attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days, and will need 24 hour supervisions for those first 90 days. Her dad was initially involved in her recovery, but has chosen to stay in his addiction, so will not be involved in parenting after her release. Their relationship will continue on a casual basis, with Heather in the position to choose when to spend time with him, as long as he is not using in front of her, and they can meet in a safe public venue. I should not need to have any further direct contact with him, barring an emergency. You can imagine how much of a relief that is. The man has been the bane of my existence for the last 15 years. Other than him being struck dead by lightning, this is the next best outcome as far as I'm concerned. Of course, it is also my job as her mom to deal with my feelings about him separately from her. I have a small effigy I burn at night with little matchsticks. Heh heh. Just kidding.
I tried to upload some icons recently and found out that Lj has broken the scrapbook, so I won't be able to post them until that gets fixed. Until then, hope you gals are well, and that your lives are sweet and kind. Namaste.