Eight do the Gower

It seemed as if summer had arrived. All week it had been warm and, knowing we were off to the Gower for the weekend, we were anxious to see whether it would continue. We need not have had any concerns. Along with every other aspect of the weekend it exceeded our expectations.

The cousins get together had been arranged several months ago. Christine and Michael organised the accommodation, The King Arthur at Reynoldston

25 years Sober

On Wednesday 19th March 2008 I celebrated 25 years continuous sobriety. I shared at my home group on Monday 31st March and read the following poem.

Keep Coming Back

this whole thing started with a drink

a drink that tasted nice

if I knew then what I know now

if I knew when and I knew how

I maybe would have made a vow

to stop and just think twice

although I drank for several years

with little ill effect

each week I drank a little more

and ended up upon the floor

and drank behind a closed locked door

and lost my self respect

So does your drinking cost you more

than money I was asked

of course not was my stern reply

the only one it costs is I

and life as it goes sailing by.

In ignorance I basked

the big book said that I was ill

I had an allergy

an allergy to alcohol

that made me drink and drink and all

the pain it gave me on withdrawal

was something I could see

I stuck around, keep coming back

was all that I would hear

keep coming back keep coming back

three words that kept me right on track

to understand and find the knack

of sober life, relieved of fear

the sober life is not a game

and can’t be done alone

so from my heart I thank you all

for easing pain both great and small

to beat my head against a wall

was all that I had known

so now today I'm twenty five

the years have slipped by fast

I’ve done enough each day I guess

to keep me from that awful mess

that alcohol would be my guest

I know I'm safe at last.