Hello Everyone.. I apologize if starting a new topic for what follows is not what I should have done. In time, I'll learn the ways of the forum, I hope..
I'm Lee and I'm new here, although i'm not new to the Fellowship. I just want to relate a quick story about gratitude and about how having an "attitude of gratitude" is a great help and blessing to me in my journey in sobriety.
My Dad passed away last month. Although it was fairly sudden, it was also anticpated to happen fairly soon. Doesn't make it hurt any less..
I was very fortunate in him. In a world where so many have such terrible relationships with one or both of their parents, I can honestly say that there was no man I admired more or wanted more to be like than my Dad. He was a great man.
So, when the news came that he had passed away, my wife and I traveled the 500+ miles from our home in the Midwest to my ancestral home in NW Pennsylvania for the viewing, funeral and to support and be with my family.
All through the next 4 days from the time we first met with the funeral director and on through the viewing and the service and interment, I kept thinking about how grateful I was that I was sober. Here I was to honor and do right by the man who had the most positive influence on my life of any person and I could be proud and hold my head up high and do justice by my duty. I could look his friends and other family members in the eye. I could grieve honestly. I could stand up in the little Lutheran Church where I was raised and eulogize my Dad in a firm, impassioned voice. I could hold my sisters and my Mom and cry with them and know that my tears were honest and for them and not just selfish tears for me as so many of them were when I was an active drunk. I could hear my aunts and uncles tell me that a big part of my dad lives on in me and I could accept and believe it and feel the pride and the seriousness of the responsibility of knowing it is so.
All these things were mine because I am sober. I am very grateful. I have never felt this gratitude stronger in my 8 1/2 years of sobriety.
The Promises DO come true. These things, these blessings, will materialize for us if we work for them.
Hi Lee Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Its hard when its expected, not expected, whether their young or old! Im sure he's looking down on you now and proud of the man you have become! Great that you shared and it is very appropriate! Good to see the promises coming true in your life and knowing that if I do the next right thing, it can happen to me also! 81\2 years is awesome!!!Keep coming back!!! Lani
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
My condolences to you and all your loved ones on the passing of your father. Thank you for coming here to honor your father with us and to share what he meant to you. Thank you for sharing what the promises have done for you and the gratitude they've given you . The blessings of this program never cease to amaze me.
Welcome to MIP. I do hope that you'll stay around and share some ES&H with us.
I am so truly sorry for your loss. Losing a parent is always so very hard. Thank you for sharing your gratitude of how your life is today with us. I needed to be reminded of all that I have to be grateful for today.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
