The first time I heard him say that he had been going to meetings for 30 years, I remember saying to myself, “no f***ing way was I going to go to meetings for 30 years!”  Now, as the days, the months, and the years pass by, I can see the importance of going to meetings regularly.

We lost a pillar in the recovery world this weekend. I lost my biological father over 20 years ago. I thought of this wonderful man as my Father in Recovery. With over 30 years in recovery, he died at 81. That means he became sober in his 50s, as did I. He was at my very first Anonymous meeting and throughout my recovery his words of wisdom were always a blessing to me. I am grateful to have been in recovery with him.

The first time I heard him say that he had been going to meetings for 30 years, I remember saying to myself, “no f***ing way was I going to go to meetings for 30 years!”  Now, as the days, the months, and the years pass by, I can see the importance of going to meetings regularly. Living a life in recovery and staying strong means I must show up for myself as well as for others who are searching for courage, strength, and hope in their lives.

During my early days in recovery, sitting at a meeting, crying, feeling as if my world was crumbling before my eyes, he would look me in the eyes and say, “This too shall pass, Kathy.” In those moments, in that chair, it was what I needed to get me through that day. I had moments in sobriety when I truly could see that the new directions and changes in my life were a good thing. He knew what to say then. And he knew what to say on my rough days, too. He was an inspiration to so many. I will miss you, my recovery father and friend.

September is Recovery and Mental Illness Month. We all have stories to tell. I would like to hear your story. My recovery father’s story was that, drunk, he fell off a bar stool and broke his leg. Only then was his family able to convince him finally that he might really have a problem.

I would like to hear your story. If you have one that you believe might help others in their journey, please send it to me at Kathy@oneneighatatime.com. I plan to publish stories of recovery throughout this month. I will publish your story anonymously, if you’d like. Just let me know. Your story doesn’t have to be specific to addiction. It can be about any facet of your life that demanded that you make big choices for recovery and healing.

What was your moment of clarity? What next steps did you take? What do you do to stay sober? What do you do to stay healthy? How has your life changed? Everyone has a story that might help another person piece theirs together. You never know, your story could save a life. It doesn’t have to be written perfectly. It doesn’t have to be long or short. Just make it yours. I’ll look forward to reading how you changed your life; and posting it for others to read. I look forward to your inspiration of courage, strength, and hope.

I will offer a free session to one of our Story Writers. At the end of the month I’ll draw the winner’s name and if you live nearby we’ll meet in the barn with my horse partners. If you live a distance away, we’ll make a date for a phone coaching session.

Make yourself a priority and we will see you in the barn.