My mom called to tell me that Elizabeth Vargas was on Good Morning America telling her story of alcoholism. She said that it sounded a lot like my story, and as I listened I was shocked at how true that is. Maybe it shouldn’t surprise me anymore, how we’re all the same, but I guess it does. The face of alcoholism is everyone’s face.
I wanted to hug Elizabeth and high five her and talk for hours. Because of how we’re the same and how powerful the sisterhood of sobriety is, and because she’s never going to know how powerful her story’s ripple effect really is, simply in its truth-telling. None of us can know, but it is good.
When you are still drinking, it feels like there’s no way it could ever stop. But I’m writing this little love note to Elizabeth Vargas and hoping that if you came across it because you’re struggling, you’ll be encouraged. We are all in this together.
On January 20th, the one that just passed, I hit four years of sobriety. It has been a beautiful journey. And to all the Elizabeths out there, still drinking or not, I want you to know, it gets easier, the more time that goes by, and life becomes better than you can imagine.
That’s the truth.
You are stronger than you think you are, my sisters.
Let’s all say a big thank you wherever we are, to people like Elizabeth Vargas, who have the courage to strip away stigma, with story.
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My story of alcoholism started with this post in which I admitted I had a problem, and all the posts about it can be found by clicking the box in the sidebar with the title “The Ones About Alcoholism and Recovery”
To see me on ABC’s Nightly News With Diane Sawyer, talking about my relationship with wine, click here.
{ 6 comments }
Way to go on four years! That is awesome! My husband is in recovery and every year further down the road we get our lives just get sweeter. The whole journey has opened my eyes to so much, including a passion to help those with addictions/those who have loved ones with addictions. I’m still figuring out where this path will take me, but I LOVE reading stories about others triumphs and tribulations.
Laura June recently posted..This Winter Season
I often wonder, my beautiful friend, if you know how truly powerful your truth-telling is – how world-rocking and stabilizing all at the same time it has been for so many people. You are constantly giving credit to the many who do what you do…. I hope you take the time to look in the mirror and know there are many who credit you with their sobriety. You are powerful beyond measure. Love you. xoxo
Danielle Smith recently posted..Renew, Refresh, Reinvent
High five to you on 4 years! Wonderful!
Four years! So proud of you! xo
So, so proud of you, especially that you are willing to share your story with others and those who need it most.
xo
Elaine A. recently posted..MomCom 2014
Heather, four years is such a huge anniversary. Isn’t it amazing how wonderful our lives are without the hassle of alcohol ?~! It’s nearing a big anniversary for me too: next month I will have thirty years. It was a long time ago and still I remember how it felt to be so drunk I was falling over and so hungover I couldn’t function for two or three days after; and then to do it all again and again and again for eight years. How do we survive ourselves, I have often wondered.
Elizabeth Vargas gets a huge hug from me too-it’s not easy to tell one’s story when the world is watching.
May each step we take lead the way to Peace.
Lynda M Otvos recently posted.."Super" Bowl
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