Roughly two years ago today, I gave up alcohol.

For many, many, reasons.

Maybe permanently, maybe not. Haven't decided yet.

To celebrate this "birthday", I'm going to my regular Tuesday volunteering "thing" where I see a bunch of friends. I baked myself some chocolate chip shortbread squares and will be bringing them, and telling them that it's a special day for me. Later, I'll be seeing one of my other friends and she said she'd bring me a cake.

Last year on my first birthday, I went to AA. Why? Because they did help me stay sober, even if I never was "too far gone" to quit by myself. I got a birthday cake and a medallion (on it, it says "YWI You're Worth It" which is something my first therapist taught me).

That was fun.

This year? My "home group" for AA doesn't do birthday parties beyond first year, and every five years after (5,10,15 etc). Last night (Monday) I went to the regular meeting and told some people there it was my birthday today. I got some congratulations which was nice.

I also was asked to read the "Twelve Steps" in front of the group. I introduced myself as an alcoholic, but not the same kind of alcoholic as many people would understand. I said "alcoholic" because it was a compulsion to drink. It wasn't ever excessive, but it was a nasty compulsion that I'm happy to say doesn't have the same control over me anymore.

And I suppose that's all I'll say about this tonight.

One day at a time, even though going only one day at a time seems realllllllllly slow sometimes