On July 9, 1994, I drank a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer after I mowed the lawn. The next day I drove to Havre de Grace, Maryland with my six year old son to visit my then wife and his mother. She had just been admitted to a top tier alcoholism rehabilitation facility. That was the last drink I ever had.

I have had very vivid drinking dreams during this time of recovery, but I didn’t drink. I have worked the 12 Steps of Recovery. More than that, I have had the desire to stay sober above all else.

A lot of selfishness has melted away. A lot of compassion has come to fill that void created. I’m not perfect, not even close. I’m just glad that nightmare has been over for the last twenty five years.