Tarnished Reflections

TARNISHED REFLECTIONS At the age of twenty, after enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, I took my first alcohol based drink. It was a Tom Collins, generally considered a ladies drink. I soon began trying other drinks . . . . Rum and Coke, Scotch on the rocks, straight shots of Bourbon chased by beer . . . . anything with alcohol content. I never really liked the taste of Boone's Farm Strawberry, Cold Duck, or Red Mountain Burgundy but since it had alcohol in it, I drank it. On such low income, I soon discovered that beer was less expensive and a six-pack was enough to give me the buzz I needed. After a period of time, I was drinking two six-packs, then three, and finally, a case over a twenty-four hour period. I started keeping a six-pack in my desk drawer and drinking on duty. All of this took place over an eighteen year stretch. Then, the blackouts started. I would stop at the Thunderbird Bar and Grill on the way home just to have one cold frosty mug. Instead, I would drink in excess and drive home. The scary part of the final six months of consumption are still a blur. I would drive home, but not remember it. The next morning, I would not remember where I had parked my car. These episodes are what caused me to decide --- "It's Time"! Time to quit. I admitted myself to an Air Force staffed treatment center on 11 January 1982. I celebrated thirty-five years of sobriety on 11 January 2017. On that same day, I started teaching at an addiction treatment center. As of this writing, I have thirty-six years of sobriety plus the restored relationship of my two children. Life is great and I am the Co-Leader of a Celebrate Recovery group in my hometown. In retrospect, I clearly see that my 'tarnished past' has become my 'bright and shining future'. I am helping others to learn how they too can have a bright future and leave their 'tarnished reflections' in the past. 26 March 2018 For the contest sponsored by John lawless