Smiling Upon Sobriety: Celebrating 14 Years of Healing, Faith, and Joy

I have a question: Do you celebrate your life’s significant milestones?

No doubt, the manifestation of faith comes in many forms throughout our lives. However (comma), some days require great Self recognition!

Please note: These particular days of significance are not based on egocentric pride or boastful behaviors. Instead, they are unequivocally wrapped in God’s grace and coated with compassion.

Why I Memorialize My Sobriety Milestones

Speaking for my Self, I memorialize certain life experiences because they:

1. Allow me to acknowledge and praise God’s omnipotence
2. Provide spiritual prestige
3. Serve as a tangible representation of profound perseverance
4. Highlight the cheerleaders of encouragement in my life
5. Remind me that I am not alone
6. Allow me the opportunity to serve as an inspiration to another person, and
7. Empower me to press forward in faith one more day

Surely, there are several additional reasons why I choose to greet adversity with gladness.

Living my best life at 7 years old.

The Joy of May 29th: My Sobriety Birthday

My point—As we tread on paths of perseverance and adversity, life is a collection of celebrations. (Thank you, God, for the prestigious party!)

Some of you are aware of my personal celebration of Self on May 29th from Al C. Hol (also known as alcoholism/alcohol dependence/alcohol use disorder).

Here is the journal entry I wrote on this special day at 8:49 a.m. I chose to share it on several public and private platforms for the reasons I previously mentioned of memorialization. Feel free to share this blog and the Sober Solace Greeting Card Series to encourage others.

Reflecting on the joys of sobriety ... joyous, indeed.

A Letter to God: 14 Years of Sobriety and Grace

“Dear God:

We did it → 14 years of sobriety 🤸🏾‍♂️

Thank you for the taste of tranquility. I tiptoed into today acknowledging the past year of unspoken laps in my pool of tears. You have forced me to recall, reflect, release, and redefine all that I thought I knew. A new season for pruning and growth has begun.

Thank you for lending me Mema and Jane to caress me with comfort when the world seemed small. Their strength in spirit sustained me when the wailing couldn’t be heard past my four walls.

Thank you for the friends and family that have remained as roots of resilience, reminders of laughter and perseverance, and for those who parted without my soul’s permission. I recognize this says more about me than it does of them. My heart still aches, yet I acknowledge this is part of the pruning.

Most of all, thank You for showing me a new day - a new opportunity - to envelop my Self in compassion and spiritual pride as I embrace the child within.

Thank you for the pruning - I look forward to the bloom.”

To our joyous journey,

Elora