March 4th was my anniversary. I have been sober for 14 years. What a 14 years it’s been!! I haven’t been feeling well and received some distressing news at my doctors appointment last Thursday but despite the news I am blessed. I got home that night and my cousin had mailed me a package. Inside were 2 beautiful, healing bracelets she had made for me, a Con Brio (SF band I love) CD, a Survivor pendant, a made in SF t-shirt to remind me of the city I miss and love so much and the most beautiful card ever. My eyes filled w tears. I was a blubbering mess at the post office. On March 4th I got to my office and I was greeted with these beautiful flowers on my desk. I was shocked. I haven’t received flowers in a very long time. They were a gift from my friend from church congratulating me on 14 years of sobriety. The flowers came w a lovely card and a beautiful message. Now as you know I’m Catholic. As a Catholic flowers are a sign of love. They are also a sign from St Therese of Lisieux, one of my favorite saints, that our prayers are being answered. Talk about bringing me hope. I have some challenges ahead but the good news is I’m sober and I’m blessed to have some wonderful people in my life. Thank you Melissa Perez. I love you so much!!! And thank you Norma Espinoza. I’m so blessed to call you my friend.  

As I look back on the past five years it’s a miracle I’ve managed to remain sober. In 2011 my dad passed away. I was devastated. Two years later I found myself in an emotionally and verbally abusive relationship and I was fighting cancer. Today my life is a mess. I’m overcoming financial challenges, I’m living at home with my mother and it appears my fight with cancer continues. However, despite the challenges I’m happy to say I haven’t drowned myself at the bottom of a bottle. For that I’m so grateful that the lord continues to give me strength to overcome each day without the desire to drink. Now I’m not trying to sugar coat sobriety by insinuating it’s easy. It’s not. Every day I have to make the decision to choose life over a bottle of Chardonnay or Captain Morgan’s. Just like I have to make the decision to keep fighting this nasty disease. Life is good. It’s even better when you’re sober. So if you’re reading my blog today and you’re struggling with an addiction or just a major challenge in your life. Remember…..if I can do it, so can you. Keep up the fight. Life’s worth living. It truly is. God bless to all of you reading today. May you receive your bouquet of flowers and may it be a sign your prayers are being answered. I know I’m expecting mine!!!  May you your prayers  be answered too.