Something about Kate

[rivergirl]

Hurrah, Kate - we can hope to follow in your footsteps. Every path is easier to follow when we know that people have gone before us.. assuring us by their very existence that it is possible.

I too long to be a An AF solar oribter, Being only at day 27 AF you are a heroine to me.

Thank you,
Rivergirl

[Saint Jude]

Right Arm Kate!

Congratulations! A whole year! That is huge! You are definately an inspiration. I always love seeing ya on board. I hope you have a wonderful day & evening planned...

xoxo, Hugs, Judie

[lorisunshine]

Dear Kate,
Let me congratulate you on your wonderful achievement. I would love to be where you are today, but that would mean I am wishing my life away.
You are such an inspiration to us all and we are so honoured to have you share your wisdom with us.
I am looking forward to share many more sober moments alongside you and others here on these boards.
In total admiration.
Lori.

[Helensback]

The fact that I love you goes without saying...........

Uh oh.

I feel a poem coming on............

Someone save me from myself!

Helen

Many belated wishes for our most admirable Kate. Your wisdom over this past year has blown me away many times. You are a comfort and a gem to all of us. Thank you and CONGRATULATIONS on your huge achievement. I hope I can someday meet that milestone. Love you much, Gina

[dilayne]

Congratulations Kate..fours seasons!!! Thanks for sticking around and sharing your success!!!
Di

[katesm]

Wow guys, thanks so much for all your words.

I've been out of action for a few days and sort of missed my own party! And I was SO going to make a speech! Along the lines of, "I'd like to thank Mum, Dad and all the family, and especially my dog Cleo, who made it all possible."

Serious now. My life now, as opposed to 1 year ago, is so incredibly different, I find it hard to describe. For anyone still in that awful place of "How, how, how can I get myself out of this?", take heart. It can be done.

I have actively been involved here for the whole 12 months. I have read every story posted and I have seen myself in every single one of those stories. I am exactly the same as each and every one of you. We struggle with managing alcohol, and we come here to overcome that struggle.

So, do not aspire to be me, aspire to be you. The real you. And then forge a better you. I think I've posted on this before, but I find myself a far more understanding, non-judgemental person than I ever was. I wouldn't wish my past misery on anyone, but hell, if I had to go through all that crap, then I'm going to use whatever advantage I can take from it. And I do.

Today, I laugh freely. And I mean really laugh. As you all know, I went through an awful time at my 9 month mark, so I have no desire to tell anyone that their journey is going to be a breeze, because that would be untrue and possibly cause someone who goes through the same thing (at any stage) to think they were failing. You are not failing, you are building a new you. And like any building project, we occasionally hit a problem we have to work around. As my friend Neil says, we have to keep the faith. We need to keep faith in ourselves. We will struggle and we will curse, and scream, and want that drink so badly. But we need to keep faith that we will overcome. Whether this be by distraction, or reaching out to someone close to us, or seeking support here on the boards, we need to reach deep into ourselves and tap those reserves just waiting to be utilised. Because those reserves rest in all of us.

Of this, I have no greater faith.

I thought my resolve was strong before my 9 month hump. I have to tell you, my resolve now has increased hundredfold.

Okay, I'm rambling now. But I'm a happy rambler!

Oh, and before I close, just let me say that I offer my unconditional support to every abstainer and moderator on these boards. You beautiful people offer me more honesty and understanding than I would ever have imagined possible. I will be forever grateful for that.

Love,

Kate.

[lushy]

I love you Kate. You always seem to say what I need to hear..............

[xtexan]

Hey Kate:

I know exactly what you mean about laughing freely. I saw something just yesterday that someone had written on another forum, that was a one liner joke about a TV character.

It just came out of me, and I could not have stopped it, if I had been in a courtroom. It just came out, flowing from the core. That never used to happen. I had to think about it a while, and decide whether it was funny or not back when I was drinking.

Anyway, great words and advice about not aspiring to be like anyone, but yourself. That is where we continue on, and grow. I need to meditate on that one myself. Wisdom for sure.

Neil