Saturday, August 11, 2012

Saturday on the boat

The PGA is taking place near where I live. Fortunately, it isn't on the same island but is close enough to cause terrific traffic jams when I leave the island. I can see Tiger Woods' yacht from the water, docked at a resort marina.

I wonder what the pros do when they are done playing for the day. Do they meditate? Socialize with corporate sponsors? Go over video tapes of their shots? Review the next holes in minute detail? I am not a golfer or a fan of the game. But I have been watching a few moments of the PGA because it is happening so close to home. The Ocean Course is taking its toll. And today will bring more storms in the afternoon.

We are out on the boat for the weekend. We have been for a long walk on the beach, had a good breakfast and will probably do some reading, followed by a nap. The new medication appears to be helping my wife. I can't fathom why she quit taking the meds for depression but am grateful that she is doing well now. There are still ups and downs but those have occurred as long as I've known her.

Tomorrow is my Al-Anon birthday. It will be six years for me now. And I can honestly say that I feel so different from the broken person who walked into a meeting those years ago. We had had terrible arguments over her drinking for a couple of months. I was fed up and sick of the failed promises and the embarrassment of being with a blackout drunk. Luckily, a friend in AA told me that I needed to go to Al-Anon. I almost didn't make that first meeting because the directions on the meeting list were wrong! I was driven to be there though and happened to see someone who I asked about the meeting. She knew and told me how to get there. No coincidence, I think.

Nor is it coincidence that I met my sponsor at that meeting. He wasn't there for my first meeting or the second one. When I met him at my third meeting, I felt so much compassion and understanding that I knew I would ask him to be my sponsor. That was the most important step for me and one that got me on the path to self-enlightenment through the steps and traditions.

I am grateful to have friends, my wife, my sponsor and my sanity. I can honestly say that life is far better today than I thought. I was willing. I surrendered. I believed.

19 comments:

  1. woot happy birthday brother...hope the traffic is not too bad for you...actually went to a PGA event a few years back...was fairly cool, never would have thought that...glad the meds are working for your wife as well...

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  2. Amazing stuff the boats and people all around for the PGA. Blimps too :)

    Certainly a lot of excitement for what was it Twain called it, "A good walk spoiled." I know lots of people who are quite in love with the game. I've never played so I have no idea.

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  3. Happy al-anon birthday Syd. I came into AA through Al-anon. It was where I first learned that I am only responsible for myself. That alone was life changing - well - after I got over the shock that it might be true.

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  4. Hi Syd,

    Happy 6th Al-Anon Anniversary! I hope you receive many happy wishes for your recovery and all your service - especially in the blog-world - to sustain you this day.

    I've 'listened' to you here, and read most of the replies, and it still amazes and impresses me at the gift of knowledge and the Al-Anon language you speak so fluently for all to see in How It Works!

    Hugs, and Love,
    Anonymous #11

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  5. Congrats on your 6 years of Al-Anon recovery. And, thanks for sharing the story of how you met your sponsor and just knew. I have had similar experiences with both my Al-Anon and AA sponsors. My HP led me to the people I needed to connect with. No searching. No stressing. They were there when I was ready for them.

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  6. You found the path when you truly surrendered to the fact that you needed it. I do love that and it is a good lesson.

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  7. 6 years fr you in alanon already... wow
    wow huge boat.. gawd knows what they do after tournaments..
    Glad things are going ok for you two on the boat.. What a different life from the one you describe 6 years ago (!!!) amazing and very nice to watch..

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  8. Happy No. 6, Syd. You're probably much happier than Tiger Woods and many other PGA golfers burdened with fame and untreated addictions!

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  9. You represent your fellowship well. Oh I know you're not the "rep"....but people come back to the rooms when they see something they want.

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  10. Thanks Syd for posting your recovery. I have four years again which has saved my soul, I needed soul tending.

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  11. Yeah same thing to you Syd...6 years is a good long time enough to ask yourself if you were better off seven years ago or now. If you can answer today is definitely better you can start to let go of the stench of the memories. You'll never forget but you can ease up your grip anyway...besides sanity is highly over rated if you ask me.

    Tiger Woods after work? I think I remember some big to do about what he did after work. *shrug* They all can zen out none of my business.

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  12. Just found your blog. I am a 60-year-old mum who lives with my husband and daughter in the UK. Our daughter suffers with depression and is also (we believe) an alcoholic.

    Will be back to visit your blog again soon.

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  13. 6 years !! It's wonderful and you live the program and write about it beautifully. My son, dating a girl in AA, has just started in Al-anon and he loves it.
    I used your name in my latest blog entry, Syd. Hope that's OK ...

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  14. Very nice, Syd! 6 years in Ala-non. Recovery is a gift. Hope to continue seeing you around for years to come.

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  15. Thank you for your blog. You have no idea how much wisdom I have gleaned from your words.

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  16. Congrats and thanks for sharring your experience, srength, and hope with us. I think counting birthdays is over rated. I believe in quality not quantity, but you definately got quality. Peace

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  17. Congratulations on your time in Al-Anon, you have been a refuge and a resource for me in your blog!

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  18. Happy belated 6th Anniversary!! It shows through your posts that you live and apply the principles to your life with courage and compassion. Thank you for sharing your experience, strength and hope. I appreciate you! :0)

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