vacation (I think)

I've been on vacation since last Friday and, quite frankly, cannot wait to get back to work. Though I've had a lot of rest and relaxation, the whole situation has been more like work than work itself.

I've been in a nice suite of rooms and have hung out by the pool, spent time reading and relaxing, gone shopping, and have cooked meals. I have not had an urge to drink alcohol and have managed to enjoy parts of the week, but...all in all, I'd rather have been back in Key West. surrounded by familiars.

I know that "work" can get along without me. That's not the point at all. The house and the staff will and have fared very well in my absence. It's just that this vacation seems to have had no real purpose. I've not been bored, as I love to read. I've been a little bit lonely, as I really enjoy having friends, staff, and clients constantly running in and out of my day. I guess that I am "supposed to" be having fun.

Thank gooodness, I get to go home tomorrow.

Sheeesh! Looking back and re-reading, this seems to be the most negative bit of writing I've done in a very long time...but I'll go ahead and post it anyhow.

Love and peace from Orton Terrace and from...Chris

Thoughts on a Monday Evening

Its January15th(2007) and the fourth anniversary of my sobriety. My goodnesss - how my world has changed in those four years.

I am writing from a men's resort in Ft. Lauderdale, where I am spending a week's paid vacation! Imagine that..this ol' drunk on a paid vacation!! Life is good today.

Actually, I could not have begun to imagine, four years ago, how good life could be for me. It seems to me that I thought of myself as an alcoholic of the hopeless variety; the type that would never be able to sustain sobriety and like it. Much to my "surprise", not only have I been able to maintain sobriety for these four years but I have come to love life, as well.

In spirit, today, I am richer than Crosseus. In terms of living life to its fullest measure, I only thought I was doing that - until now. My heart is filled with gratitude as I continue to walk this journey in recovery. I am grateful beyond measure - for my life and those who share in it with me. I am grateful for those who cared enough to set me in the right direction and gave me a "map" and a set of "tools" to work with and who guided me along until I could begin to guide others.

I may start coming here a bit more during the coming year and continue an old dream of simply writing.

Love and Peace from Key West (where my heart is)..and from Chris.