The best morning

Sober alcoholics get to enjoy Jan. 1 in a way few others do

January 1 is the most significant morning for me as a sober alcoholic. To wake up sober and to have a normal day is a testament to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Since I have a sponsee who is struggling with work issues right now, I suggested she sign up to chair an alcathon meeting last night at our AA club. The meeting was at 10pm and I assured her I would be there. Because I had made this commitment, I actually stayed up to ring in the new year for the first time in many years. Amazing!

I slept in until 7, which is truly sleeping in for this early riser. When I hit my knees this morning, I thanked my Higher Power for an amazing year and for the hope and promise of the next 365 days. But I also asked God to help me stay focused on THIS day. This beautiful rainy 40-degree Chicago morning. Today is enough. Today is all I need. Today is all I’ve got.

God is so good. His presence was in the post-party, stink-filled, cannabis-smelling air from my next-door neighbor’s house when I took the dog out this morning. His presence was in the 15 year chip I dug out of my collection to pass on to my dear friend who celebrated his anniversary last week. His presence was in my journaling this morning—a quick 4-column fear inventory. His presence was there in the three names I added to my prayer list, remembering there are those who are greatly affected by another’s drinking, and we need to pray for them as well as for the alcoholic.

Thank you, God, for this sober morning. And thank you, God, for many more sober mornings to come.