My, how things have changed in a years time. This time last year we held our Thanksgiving meal minus our son. We weren't quite sure where he was or what he was doing. We had told him not to call unless he wanted to go to rehab. He called late at night obviously drunk and swearing. It was a tough day to go thru the motions and feeling so out of sorts. Then when he called at night we felt such a sinking feeling of how the disease of addiction had such a profound hold on our son.
Here we are today, with my beautiful boy home, sober, safe and sound. I am so thankful for a second chance to convey the love needed for him to heal. Prayer and love are the best weapons I have against the disease of addiction.
Today was so wonderful. We enjoyed ourselves so much. I watched my whole family sit at the table eating, laughing, sitting quietly together, content to just bask in our being together. My son didn't isolate. He joined in. He is Christmas shopping for his Dad. I don't remember him thinking of anyone else in such a long time. He wanted to bring a friend over. He sat and hung out with his sisters and friend. To many this may not be such a big deal but to us, this is huge because it means that he is "joining up."
In the horse world when you start working with a horse you want to establish your place in the herd and when a horse begins to trust you and starts following you, he is joining up. To me this is a great gift to have my son want to join back up with his family after addiction took him away for so long.
I am so thankful for this gift of a second chance. I am thankful for the process of healing. I am thankful for understanding what is really important. I'm thankful for all of you guys and your wise and encouraging words. I pray for our continued perseverance and I pray for the soul of Henry.
Here we are today, with my beautiful boy home, sober, safe and sound. I am so thankful for a second chance to convey the love needed for him to heal. Prayer and love are the best weapons I have against the disease of addiction.
Today was so wonderful. We enjoyed ourselves so much. I watched my whole family sit at the table eating, laughing, sitting quietly together, content to just bask in our being together. My son didn't isolate. He joined in. He is Christmas shopping for his Dad. I don't remember him thinking of anyone else in such a long time. He wanted to bring a friend over. He sat and hung out with his sisters and friend. To many this may not be such a big deal but to us, this is huge because it means that he is "joining up."
In the horse world when you start working with a horse you want to establish your place in the herd and when a horse begins to trust you and starts following you, he is joining up. To me this is a great gift to have my son want to join back up with his family after addiction took him away for so long.
I am so thankful for this gift of a second chance. I am thankful for the process of healing. I am thankful for understanding what is really important. I'm thankful for all of you guys and your wise and encouraging words. I pray for our continued perseverance and I pray for the soul of Henry.
4 comments:
Thank you for sharing this. This is the first Thanksgiving my son has not spent with us. He has been here in body but his soul has been absent for many years.
My son is rehab this year for which I am very thankful. I am praying that next Thanksgiving I can share a similar story of my son "joining up" with us again.
Terri I will pray for that too. Thank you for sharing and never give up. There seem to be a lot of bumps in the road but if you look at each bump as a means to grow and learn instead of passing or failing, it will help...or it did for me.
I am happy for you. =)
Love your positive take on life (and of course this IS good news!) You have a way of gratefulness blended with the realism of the work it takes to achieve a positive outcome. I find it good reading!
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