I am thankful for......

One thing that I’ve learned through this whole journey is that taking time to be grateful helps me when I find myself caving in to fear and depression.  It’s so hard to do when it feels like my world is collapsing around me, but when I force myself to do it, it always helps.  There have been so many times in my life when the Lord has revealed His goodness and mercy to my loved ones and me. 

            Thanksgiving is tomorrow, so I am making a “gratitude list.”  I am thankful for:

• ·      God’s unfailing love, grace, and mercy.  I don’t know where my son or I would be without it.
• ·      My health.
• ·      My incredibly supportive husband who has been my rock through many ups and downs.
• ·      My 3 children, who have each taught me many lessons, in a way that only they could.
• ·      Each day of my son’s sobriety
• ·      My spunky 83 year old mom, whose faith, humor, and strength are my inspiration.
• ·      The privilege of teaching kids, and letting them know they are special and loved.
• ·      The lessons of trust and faith that I am learning through the nightmare of addiction.  Only the Lord can bring good out of incredible evil.
• ·      The parents of addicts who pour out their hearts and souls in their blogs.  You have helped me keep my sanity by sharing your pain, compassion and wisdom.  You are all my heroes.  God bless each of you.

My symptom-Anxiety

“I pray that I may not fall into the error of anticipating trouble.  If it should come, let me meet it with equanimity and love.”  One Day at a Time in Al-Anon

                        The holiday season is bittersweet.  It can, and does, stir up all kinds of emotions for me.  I have such sweet memories of holidays past, in the time of innocence and youth.  I look through old photo albums, and I’m glad I didn’t know then of the pain that addiction would bring to our future.  I’m glad I didn’t know that addiction would cost my dad his life, and that my son’s addiction would cause such suffering.

            Right now, things remain stable.  My son is working and still living in a halfway house.  I am glad that he is 180 miles away from his old “friends.” He voluntarily attends 12 step meetings and goes to church on Sunday.  I hope to be able to visit him on or near Thanksgiving.  We truly have much to be thankful for.

            So, why then do I sometimes feel this anxiety well up inside of me and squeeze my heart like a giant hand? I guess all of those drug-addicted years took their toll.  The fear and dread of late night phone calls, or even worse-the complete lack of communication that left me wondering if he was dead or alive.  Those things left scars.  Remnants of that anxiety still lingers, although at least it’s not so constant now.  I try to catch it as soon as it raises its ugly head, and whisper a quick prayer.  The Lord has been teaching me to let go and let Him.  The anxiety is my symptom of the family disease of addiction.

           

            As I look at the date of my last post, I realize it’s been almost a month since my last post.  It’s such a busy time of year, but I want you to know that I still read and keep up with your posts each day.  I pray for all addicts and the people who love them every day too.  I pray for comfort, healing, wisdom, strength……….and hope.