Summer is Here

What a great few weeks I have had.  My social life has grown leaps and bounds since choosing a home group.  Now, I know why we are told to pick one.  Memorial Day weekend I was so busy and had so much fun I did not want the time to end. This was a HUGE milestone for me in my recovery.  I have met so many great people who are genuinely concerned and invested in my success and I in theirs.  I have always had lots of friends and as we all know when we get sober we find out who our real friends are.  I am very happy about the new people in my life and the support they give me.  It is so comforting to know they are just like me in the fact that they too struggle with a progressive disease that is deadly. In the last month I have managed to recognize my drug of choice, which, is a person and let them go completely.  This too is a HUGE milestone in my recovery.  Like choosing to get sober, letting go of her has allowed me to heal as I should and start rebuilding my self respect.  I have seen my favorite band, rock the fuck out, and learn that I can get back to seeing live music with out using drugs or alcohol.  Music is such a big part of my life, I cannot even imagine life with out it.  I am headed to the beach in a few weeks with my family and I am beyond excited.  I will get to see my God father whom I have not seen in at least twenty years.  This will also be my 4 month old niece's first family trip.  I cannot wait to spend the entire week with her.  She brings so much joy and love into my life it is beyond words.  She is motivation every day to be a better man and to stay sober!  Last, but not least, the 12th step of the Anonymous programs is to carry the message to the alcoholic/addict that still suffers.  This has allowed a friend from my past who I started on this path to destruction with back in to my life and an opportunity for me to carry that message to her in her struggle and hopefully make a difference in her life.  For all these things, I can only thank a higher power of my understanding and show my gratitude by consistently try to improve my life.  I am overwhelmed with excitement about the future and know with out a doubt this will be the best summer of my life.  One last note, I have had the wonderful experience of turning a fellow music addict and alcoholic into a Widespread Panic fan.  As much as he has fought it, he finally let that sweet sound in!  These lyrics posted below are for you buddy!

Vacation

Transcribed by:

unknown Bryan Irby

Almost 23,
I took a trip to the sea.
Went out for a swim and the waves came crashing down on me.
Turned to head back in.
That's when I saw the fin.
As panic grabbed my legs, you know it, pulled me in.

I didn't see you were right next to me
But I'm so glad you could make it.
With you by my side, I might get back alive
From my next vacation.

Mountains looked like fun.
Climbed up the to sun.
And from the peak, I got such a view, I forgot to hang on.
The wind came rushing in
And broke my safety-pin.
But as I flew by, you threw me a line. Saved again!

I didn't see you were right next to me
But I'm so glad you could make it.
With you by my side, I might get back alive
From my next vacation.

Took a trip over there
To see how I'd fare.
Got on my little white boat and didn't have a care.
The third day at sea,
We began to sink.
They said "Women and children first", I said "Guess that's not me".

But you came along with a raft and a song,
And I'm so glad you could make it.
And with you by my side, I might get back alive
From my next vacation.

I didn't see you were right next to me
But I'm so glad you could make it.
With you by my side, I might get back alive
From my next vacation.