Are you sure? You can't take it back once it's out there.
"I'm ready. I'm brave."
Wow. You're really letting go of this.
"Yeah, I love wine. I love the drunkies, I love the way it makes me giggle!"
So why quit?
"Because I love me more. I can finally stop hating myself."
Self-loathing is not cool for someone as lovable as you, JC.
"Thank-you for saying that."
You're welcome. We won't judge you.
You and the elephant have my support.... always...
ReplyDeleteRespect and admiration ..always...
Thank-you Joseph!
DeleteYou are brave, powerful and fucking awesome. Yes, I just swore....sorry everyone but this is worthy!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! It was time. Also I think this blog could use a few more F-bombs.
DeleteThank you for sharing such an intensely private thing with us. I hope that your honestly and courage will help someone else.
ReplyDeleteHere is a great big virtual hug for you - ((((HUG)))) - because you absolutely rock my friend. I agree with Sober Julie, you're fucking awsome!
I hope it helps someone too. Gosh I never even thought it might, so that's encouraging... Thank-you for the hug and also for swearing like Julie did.
DeleteSober JC is every single bit as amazing, fun, funny, beautiful, awesome and worthy of respect as pre-Sober JC. Love you, my friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying that Aliza...I think so. Anyways I've got enough drunkie stories to mine for amusement til the end of my blogging days.
Deletesober jc is the best
ReplyDeleteelephants are cool but they take up a lot of room and surround themselves with eggshells
Eggshells are good in the garden to keep the slugs off the tender shoots. Let's put them out there.
DeletePS I love you.
Anonymous~Spoken like a person who's pulled themselves out from that dark place. Congrats!
DeleteLove your bravery. Love your strength.
ReplyDeleteThank-you Dustin. Because I know you know about such things.
DeleteProud of YOU!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Annabelle.
DeleteNope. Not a spot of judgement here. I am on the sobriety path myself — it'll be four years this summer! — and a lot of us are out here with you. All my best to you.
ReplyDeleteI know, because I've read it on your blog. Beautifully written...so much heart. Elan, thank-you for commenting here, it means a lot to me.
DeleteAww JC. Takes big balls to face something like this. I don't think you'll find one iota of judgment from anyone. Whether you're a drinker or not, and how you get to that place, doesn't take away from your talent or your charisma.
ReplyDeleteRock on, and here's to no more headaches or wine mustaches in the morning ;)
It's just me and my big balls. You're so right about the no more headaches. And I'll add the diminished hot flashes too. But the best part is feeling happy every morning when I open my eyes and remember that I didn't drink last night.
DeleteNo judgment. Just love. How could there be anything less than love, acceptance, and encouragement in the face of such courage and honesty? <3
ReplyDeleteI hope so....but people react in different ways to such things. I almost didn't press publish.
DeleteJC~Touche' for actually pressing the publish key. Clapping and Cheering!
DeleteI needed to see this today. I really did. Congratulations, JC!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad. Thank-you. And though I have no idea who you are, I wish you well.
DeleteWelcome to the Sober Club! :-D
ReplyDeleteYou too! Why am I not surprised, my twin!
DeleteI can't wait to see what you produce now. Everyone I know who had an addiction (alcohol or drugs) was able to do so much more when they got sober. Best of luck in this very important effort!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good luck wishes. Actually, I've been sober for a few months already. I've always been ultra productive, not sure I can improve on that, except to maybe spend more time with my family.
DeletePretty amazing JC - takes courage to share YOU with the world - and to tackle this "head on" - you have my admiration...
ReplyDeleteThank-you Sam, but I don't think I did anything to admirable. I wish I'd done it long ago, but it took time.
DeleteLove you.
ReplyDeleteLove. You.
xo
Love you too Kir!
Deletehugs and all my love from your Aunt
ReplyDeleteEver since I was little.
DeleteI wish you the best of luck! You are brave and an inspiration. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteMy husband just celebrated 22 sober -years.
Your husband is an inspiration. I'm so happy for you!
DeleteYou are conquering your elephant - so fantastic! If only everyone could conquer their particular pachyderm - it's so difficult. I have faith in you JC.
ReplyDeleteAt a certain point it became easier to not drink than to drink. I finally feel like my struggle is over.
DeleteBeautiful confession. Perfect image. Best to you.
ReplyDeleteI don't see it as a confession; more like setting something free.
DeleteThis took much courage. I'm rooting for you all the way, JC. My family of origin has been devastated by alcohol in too many ways to count. If only all could at least attempt to be as brave as you! Best wishes for continued bravery.
ReplyDeleteSee, that is exactly what I want to avoid. I don't want that to be my children's story. Thank-you for the good wishes Lisa.
Deletexo JC.
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteSending you support from the Midwest. You are so talented - taking care of yourself will only make you better :).
ReplyDeleteThank-you for saying that Liz.
DeleteYou. Are. Amazing. xo
ReplyDeleteAnd we can drink mocktails together! I don't drink either. Meds.
Perfect. Because I like a fancy drink in a fancy glass.
DeleteThe REAL Maid of Awesome is in the room! Respect.
ReplyDelete:D
DeleteI'm so proud of you, J.C!!! You ate an amazing artist and human being. There's never any shame in speaking your truth.
ReplyDeleteThank-you Chloe! I'm kicking this elephant out.
Deleteps. your typo is giving me indigestion :)
No judgement. Just love, support and huge admiration for you, my friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank-you Linda!
DeleteWith love.
ReplyDeleteThe best.
DeleteJC~Congrats on slaying the dragon ... or in this case the elephant. Regardless of the addiction, breaking away is never easy. Hence lots of Clapping and Cheering ... along with some serious Woo-Hooing and Foot-Stomping heading your way.
ReplyDeleteA heads up re rocky patches: While "Take it a day at a time" sounds great, at times you're going to find yourself hanging on an hour at a time, a minute at a time, sometimes even a second at a time. And while that hanging on mode seems to go on forever, it really doesn't. It does pass. You have lots of people rooting for you! You done good. For yourself. Your family. Those whose path you cross. Again, congrats.
Thank-you Tana. I'm feeling a lot of joy these days...
DeleteSending some love and support your way from New York!
ReplyDeleteOne day we'll get to meet and we'll hang out drinking non-alcoholic beverages. (I don't drink either, but for other reasons. Alcohol just tastes awful to me as does carbonation. So I'm usually the "boring" one drinking plain tap water.)
Congrats.
You are anything but boring Jason!
DeleteJC. I'm glad you draw elephants.
ReplyDeleteAnd things. :-)
Yeah. This one wanted to pose for me so bad. It wouldn't leave until I drew it :D
Deleteps thanks for singing my praises on Twitter.
No judgement... just HUGS!
ReplyDeleteI'll take 'em. Love you!
Delete"Because I love me more." <--Very powerful. Go you, JC!
ReplyDeleteI must love myself an awful lot heheh.
Delete