Hi! My name's Gerry and I'm an alcoholic. I'm grateful to acknowledge and accept that about myself today, especially at this time of year. It seems like everyone is running about like headless chickens, stressed out for what (in my humble opinion) should be a time of happiness and gratitude. I've just had one of the best Christmas presents I could ask for - A DAY AT THE PANTO! Ya beauty!
My granddaughter and I went to the Kings Theatre in Glasgow to see Aladdin and it was just the best. As I looked at her shouting the usual - "He's behind you!" and booing and hissing at the baddies (with a little help from her wee papa), I started to feel overcome with gratitude. My sobriety lets me be there having such a lovely time with her, knowing that this day could never be captured again.
I can have another time like it IF I work this saving programme A Day At A Time and keep my gratitude. I can remember, although not dwell on, the past when I may have taken her but wouldn't have been able to relax without thinking when I would get the next drink - that drink that I deserved so much. I would have been thinking that I'm such a great papa taking my lovely wee girl to the panto, and feeling that since I was giving up my time when I could be celebrating(?) Christmas, then everybody should be grateful to me - putting others first instead of myself. This is the self-delusion of the alcoholic who thinks that the world owes us, or I should say me, a big round of thanks.
It's not like that today, as long as I hand my will over to my Higher Power and work hard at my sobriety A Day At A Time. But you know what? It's a pleasure to do that - not a chore. When I look at my blessings, I wish you and your loved ones a content and sober future, and pray to my Higher Power for those unfortunates who haven't got to our fantastic life saving Fellowship - hopefully YET!!
GERRY H,

Coatbridge Tuesday Night