Fun in the garden......

Tonight I hosted a garden party for my sponsor, the ladies she sponsors, and the ladies they sponsor. I had really spent a lot of time sprucing up the gardens, spread small white lights throughout, set a pretty feminine table with gorgeous oriental lilies, used the gold flatware, and went all out to treat these women to a special night. As I was setting the table outdoors I had to have a serious plea with my higher power. They had been predicting severe weather all day and 10 minutes before the ladies got there it looked like the heavens were going to open up. I pleaded to just make it through dinner. The ladies came, all brought something, and the wind picked up and the sky started to clear, and we had a gorgeous evening. My kids were excited to meet everyone and were on good behavior, the food was excellent and the conversation lively. I had the best time. All these ladies have lived through some incredible experiences. The stories they can tell, the strength they can share, and the laughter, the laughter was well hilarious. I never dreamed you could have such a fabulous time, and all alcohol free. I was riding a high when everyone left. Once again it just confirmed to me what an awesome program this is. I have been remembering things that happened when I was drinking at my worst, and when my life was starting to really spiral out of control. Our oldest child was confirmed last year and for his capstone project he made this large mosaic cross. We had gone to Goodwill and picked out all these colored and patterned plates, and cups, and he broke them into pieces and created an absolute treasure. This cross hangs in our living room and tonight one of the ladies said, "what a gorgeous cross, a great reminder of how powerful God is". When she said those words my mind just clicked! That cross was created during my darkest days, God wanted me to know that he was there, and that he would be ready to take my hand and begin my journey into recovery when I was ready. My heart just skipped a beat. I turned and said, "yes, it's an amazing reminder of just how awesome God is!" So tonight I will go to bed and say thank you to God, for an amazing evening (weather and all) and for an amazing opportunity to wake up from the dead, to belong to the society of second chances, to live my life as it was meant to live.....full of love, laughter and ups, and downs, but mostly happiness......(big contented sigh)