How was your first SOBER Christmas?

[Toejam503]

As a teen and into adulthood, I hated Christmas more and more. You Know, couldn't wait to get away from the family and drink. 12/25/84...My first SOBER Christmas was 3 1/2 mo. after I sobered up. I really dreaded it coming. I was working as a Janitor for a cleaning co. and felt embarrassed about that. Still wasn't married, driving a 15 yr old Caddy and lived in a dumpy apt. I couldn't afford much so I got my parents each a small gift and went to their house for the Christmas family "fun". I was surprised, no harassment about not being married yet and most all were glad I was working again. Some were amazed at what a nice old car I had considering it's been from Virginia to California and back a few times. I felt accepted again in my family. My 2 brothers, 15 and 13 yrs old, had gotten me gifts that I'll never forget. My 15 yr old brother had bought me a model car to build "because I used to enjoy building them so much" and my youngest brother got me a Black, gold and white POW/MIA bandanna with a colonial eagle on it. He said I'll need it, for my big forehead, when I get a motorcycle in spring.
For the next 15 years, I built model cars and bikes as sort of a meditation, who knew that it would quiet the noises in my head.
Entering sobriety, I was told I need to set goals and set goals that aren't too big to achieve. My first goal was inspired by a black bandanna. That following April , I found a '78 650 Yamaha for $600.00 and took out a small loan (to start rebuilding my destroyed credit) my payments were $20 a month and I ended paying it off in 6 or 7 months. I put 77,000 miles on that bike and couldn't have done it without being sober.
I've had great Christmas' ever since!!

[fafcpa]

Nice story for this time of year. Happy holidays and many more for you!

[rokytnji]

Being Eastern European. Growing up on a shot of vodka before supper.

Some of us can drink and can stay sober. But we are taught to tell the bottle when we are going to pick it up. It does not tell us.

Sometimes I feel like a nut. Sometimes I don't.
Wine will be on the table for Xmass dinner.
It is the wifes druthers.

My shot of vodka will be on the table as usual.
As a kid I heard from Mom
" It will put lead in your pencil. "
" It will stimulate your appetite . "

Having concentration camp parents. I could no wrong. They had moral challenged experiences that would not even come close to my young bad deeds.

But being raised in America. I had no clue till later about this. Dad is buried. Mom has 1 foot in the grave. I am soon going to be the elder statesman of the family.
Great grandkids should be soon showing up sooner or later , since my grandkids graduated high school.

Eventually. My place might be where everybody/family ends up on the holidays.
No rules as usual.

Nice story ToeJam. Enjoyed it.

[RandyMac]

I have a bit to share, while not a sobriety story, it is about family and Christmas.

I lost my wife of 30 years last Sept after 5 years of illness, I was devastated.
The recovery goes on and fairly well enough.
My two former SILs drove 12 hours to see me and help with 'stuff'. 11 hours later they left for a 12 hour return trip, they had to work the next morning.
I was informed that the title ''in-laws'' no longer applied and they are now, just sisters.
I will be traveling to see them for Christmas and feel blessed to have such family.