I'm Barbara, an alcoholic.

Fifty-two years ago, I married and had six children in eight years followed by a long 20-year descent to divorce and into the alcoholism that ultimately brought me to a new and totally unexpected "second chance" in AA. When I was nine years sober, my oldest son was killed in an automobile collision, and at about the same time I met my new husband-to-be ... a sober man whom I met in an Eleventh Step meeting. The first miracle was that I didn't even think about having a drink when my son was killed. The second miracle was that I married "the man" a year later and we are enjoying a long and happy life together for nearly sixteen years. I attribute all of these gifts to the fact that God needed for me to be sober to do His work, and an awesome sponsor and who is also my best friend. My husband and I pray together and go to meetings ... he now has thirty-eight years and I have over twenty-five. I am so very grateful to AA. My relationship with my children is good and strong, and healed. My nine grandchildren have never seen me drunk. Life is good. The tough stuff still happens, but we get through it all with the guidance of our Higher Power, and with the help of our loving friends in AA. Thank you for all of the wonderful messages that come to us from the Daily Thought. It helps so many people. We are greatly blessed.