I’ve hesitated to post this for a couple days because I realize a lot of folks aren’t working still, and I have mixed feelings about sharing my good fortune when so many are having tough times. So, if you should read any further please know that I post this not to brag in any way but rather to share in the most humble way I know how the good luck my wife and I have had recently and the home we’ve recently purchased.
When my first marriage fell apart in 2010 I felt the world had closed in on me. I was in serious debt, she was taking my son, and my problems with the bottle had reached the point where life was as dark as I’d ever known it and all my efforts to control my drinking had failed. I take full responsibility for my role in losing the marriage. Legal separation followed, and for the first time in my life I couldn’t eat and started losing weight rapidly. Lost over 40 lbs in about a month. Two weeks later I was laid off from my job.
I was deep into debt with creditors. I tried any and all ways I knew to negotiate with them and there was no way I could find to have a roof over my head in the town I lived in, pay child support, a lawyer and my debts. Bankruptcy was where I wound up. I was ashamed as I’ve ever been. Never in life have I ever felt so defeated.
Around that time I walked into a 12 step program. I found work in a related field, and while it wasn’t what made me happy I worked to the best I could. I went to a lot of meetings, made a LOT of mistakes, and finally had my last drink (to date) on March 2, 2013.
I wound up moving back to NC to be closer to my son. I was lucky enough to get a job back where I’d worked prior to moving to Beaufort S.C. six years earlier. I LIVED on Ramen noodles and cold sandwiches for about three years and managed to meet someone in the rooms of recovery. We started slow, took our time, and, not without hiccups along the way, got married in 2017.
From the time I put the drink down and began to live on life’s terms for a Higher Power (with more stupid mistakes than I can count along the way) my life and my life with my beautiful wife has improved in ways I don’t have the words or ability to describe. I’ve been blessed beyond measure, and on Friday we closed on a home. I’m speechless. I’m thrilled. I’m petrified. But I do know that if I continue to do what I did yesterday I have a chance at not blowing it all. And I have faith that He he won’t give any more than I can handle. Praise God.
Again, I just wanted to humbly share a good day. I love being a member on this forum, and I’ve met so many great people on here. I hope you all have a great weekend and God Bless.
