P and Liza thank you for your supportive posts. I think we all go through different things in our life’s. It is interesting, that if we as a child lived with a parent with an addiction it could impact you in different ways. My mum did not drink and did not like drinking as she lived through having an alcoholic father. I can remember when I was a child, probably around 10 years or so, she locked my Dad out the house when he came home and had been drinking. My Dad did not drink very often, but she just had such a strong feeling against drinking that she would not put up with her husband drinking. The sad part is my brother is an alcoholic and I know that it caused her years of worry. Sadly she has passed away and my brother is still an alcoholic. He is a very happy drunk though, but I am sure my sister-in-law, who does not drink now, would prefer he did not drink. My Dad was a gambling addict though, it was the horses and sometimes the dogs, and he spent his time at the betting shop. I know that I hated gambling because of my Dad, and I was always so careful about going to the Casino and gambling because I did not want to become addicted. Well for some reason I did end up addicted, even though I was aware to be careful. I now forgive my Dad for all the hurt he caused because of his gambling. I don’t know if that was one of the lessons I had to learn so that I could forgive my Dad.
I was never too concerned about drinking as I was not in a situation as a kid where drinking was a problem. I now know that drinking and alcoholism is a problem. I actually said to my hubby the other evening that I was not retiring until he had stopped drinking for six months. I will see how it goes. I also know that I do need to go to Al Anon and I don’t know why I don’t go. I think it is because I like to pretend to the outside world that my life is wonderful. I also know that it is not a healthy way to live. I need to do what is right for me and my emotional health. I am so grateful to have the support of people who understand and have gone through similar situations. I will keep working away at myself, it is taking me a while, but I will get to Al Anon eventually.
I am busy slowly working on going through boxes and “stuff” in the basement. I don’t know why it seems like such a monumental task, but it is. I am making progress though and have gotten rid of lots of “stuff” and organized things I am keeping and packed them away in labeled plastic tubs. I just have to keep the momentum going. We also have the bathroom in the basement ripped out and we have bought a new bath and hubby will be plumbing it in. We had a shower in before so it will be a bit more complicated for him. We will need to buy a new sink and toilet as we are totally renovating it. We also got a new window installed in the basement bedroom, which means it’s a legal bedroom. We are really renovating it and doing the work ourselves. It’s interesting as hubby said when we did this 25 years ago it was done in no time. Also the boys were teenagers and helped with a lot of the stuff with him. As you get older the stamina is not there.
Wishing everyone a gamble free day!!!!
