Hi Jem- isn’t it amazing how amazing it is to feel “normal” for just a bit. We forget how that feels! I think, ‘this is what other people must feel’, and how much more I could accomplish in life if I did! I hope it gave you enough peace to catch your breath for just a minute.
Joanie- I’m sorry you are having to carry your son’s sobriety on your shoulders. You deserve a life with your partner- you’ve earned it.
nannyger- you’ve been on my mind. I can hear the weariness in your voice. 20+ is a long time to have dealt with all you’ve been through. I understand what it’s like when you have to step away for your sanity. But it hurts to not speak to one of your children. It feels so unnatural. I’ve had to step back at times to get some kind of control of myself so I don’t feel like I’m drowning.
My son has been going up and down with his sobriety. He was doing well around Christmas and he’s been slipping since. I did see him around his birthday- his 40th. My sister and her two college-aged children came and they helped keep things fairly normal. It was hard for me to see my sister’s kids so full of life and their future and then look at my son. My son looked very thin and a bit haggard with dark circles under his eyes, although he looked better than other times I’ve seen him. As I drove him home, he said he felt sad that he has missed so much of what’s going on with the family. I stayed positive and drove away and was sad for days. A handsome, bright young man with so much promise. After 10+ years of this, I still CANNOT believe that this is his life (and mine too).
I reached out to him a couple of days ago and he didn’t respond, so I guess I know what that means.
Bump- I hope things have calmed down and hopefully improved with your son.
I hope you all have a nice weekend. We’ve finally had some snow here in Colorado- off and on for the last couple of weeks. It’s very pretty. I need the change of seasons. I need things to at least change around me with nature since my life continues on with the same story. ❤️