Well at least it’s short! Lol! No really sorry for the loss and it’s normal to have reminders of past trauma. We are human and the mind experiences the trauma again just by a date or place or etc. allow yourself to grieve and it’s ok to be sad. Keep up the good work not drinking because what would that solve/ help. Nothing. So keep busy and helping others is great because we don’t obsess about ourselves. Also it builds self esteem. Good for you. 1is2many

I went into rehab right after my dad died in a freak accident at my house and the counselor asked me if I thought my dad would approve of me using his passing as an excuse to drink and that was the best question she could have asked me because clearly the answer was no.

I only had two beers after that and that was 5 years after I was asked that question. I was going through alot of difficult things at the time which I was totally unprepared for. My wife of 24 years divorced me, I lost my job, and I severed a finger in an accident in my shop, but then I tacked on another 6 years of sobriety after that.

If you can afford to take the time to do volunteer work, it will help you in ways you never could have predicted! I highly recommend.

You have my deepest sympathy on your losses but I am sure that wherever your loved ones are right now, they are so proud of you! Life isn't easy for anybody so we need each other to help us over the potholes in the road of life.

God Bless

My sister died February 26th last year and
i started drinking after 16 months of sobriety. Now I am on Day 12. Sometimes life really blows, but knowing alcohol doesn't make things better is a fact. You're in my thoughts and prayers

Thank you! You've all helped me through the last few days. I have a horrible pattern of just going into seclusion when I'm really struggling. So I'm trying to break out of that by coming here. Isolation is the absolute worst thing for me, but its the one thing I cling to. Its nice to know there is a place to go where I'm not alone.

I am so sorry for your loss. To become a volunteer sounds like a great way to celebrate life. And be around others. Even if you avoid that (like me) it will only going to make you stronger. I have had a hard time with February myself. Different reason but still very painful. Last Feb. wasn’t as bad (3 months sober) and this one I am actually not even affected (15 months) so I see how the booze was keeping me stagnant. Bests

I appreciate most the days when you (for whatever reason) see amazingly you are sober. Every sober day is an accomplishment. We are all on our own journey, but its nice to know others are going through similar things successfully. Hope is all that keeps me alive somedays. So to see others working towards that too helps so much.

:hugs:

I'm so sorry about your husband. February is a hard month for me, my husband was killed by a drunk driver 3 years ago (ironic as we had both been sober for years) Shortly after his death I found out I was pregnant again (our daughters were 5 and 3 at the time) and miscarried a few months later. That led to a pretty severe relapse.

If you ever need someone to talk to, please message me. Losing the love of your life is a never ending roller coaster of grief even years later.

Great idea about volunteering at your son's school. I'm an educator (special needs program director) and its so beneficial when parents volunteer, for the school but also for your children! And being with your kids helps remind you of why your sobriety is so important.

:hugs:

♡Kristen