November 2010. We got up, got dressed, drove our son to what he thought was an appointment with someone who was going to test him for depression, met with a therapist, and two psychiatrists, and then let the intake coordinator explain to my son that we were leaving him there for an undetermined amount of time to be treated for chemical dependance and depression. He stood up, assumed a defensive stance, and swore like we had never heard him swear before. There was no way he was staying there, but even as he said that, he had to work very hard to cover up his tears because he knew that no matter what he said, he was staying. I wanted to throw my arms around him and tell him it was going to be okay and help him to stop crying like I had so many times when he was a little boy. But, we were ushered out of the room while he was searched for anything that he may have brought in his pockets that wasn't allowed in there (like the pipe that he later said he ditched in the parking lot for some reason, and his I-Pod). After we brought his duffle bag (full of clothes and new personal care items that I had bought and packed so that he wouldn't wonder where any of his things were) and pillow back in for him, we were supposed to say good-bye to him, but he wouldn't even look at us or speak to us. Trying to hug him and tell him we loved him was like hugging an unyielding tree.
I cried more than I thought I could possibly cry that day. I cried in my husband's arms in the parking lot. I cried when he left in his own truck to go to work. I cried while driving to my friend's house where I cried most of the day. Leaving my son in rehab was a very difficult thing to do. Knowing that the alienation that had been taking place in our relationship just multiplied by a thousand percent; knowing that he needed help that I didn't know how to give him myself; knowing that somehow I failed him as a parent; knowing that I might not see him again for over a week or more; and knowing that going home to an empty house was going to make me ache for my little boy made me just flood the earth with my tears.
And now it was November 2011. One year later. What do you do to mark one year from the time that you put your child in rehab? One year from the time that he started his road to sobriety. One year that had a few rocky days that may have included what is termed as relapse, when he may or may not have taken some pills. I knew that most recovering addicts realize that if they relapse, they start counting their sobriety again with Day 1 and they resume their journey. My son adamently denies relapsing in any way, shape, or form. He wants us to believe him and to believe in him.
I thought it was very important for us to show that we do believe in him by celebrating his one year sober birthday. We went to the AA meeting that he regularly attends with his sponsor a few days after his one year sobriety date and saw him get his one year chip and heard him speak about how it was to be sober and how it is so worth it, and how he even appreciated his parents for doing what they did for him. I was so proud of him in that moment that my tears were tears of happiness and extreme gratitude. It was a moment that I would have shared with the world, but it was also a very private moment for my son, my husband, and I.
I decided to take him, the rest of our family, and his sponsor to a restaurant that serves Brazillian food, mainly a variety of meats brought around to tables by servers who then cut off portions for the diners. My son has eaten there once and has always wanted to go back, but we never have because it is quite expensive. This seemed to be a worthy occassion to pay the price.
Just to make sure that it wasn't wrong to have this kind of one year celebration, I sent an email to his sponsor. He knew about the questionable days, and I knew that he would give me the right advice. I trust this person with my son every day that he speaks to him, and every week that I leave him in charge of my son for a few hours. I trust him because he would do anything to help my son and anyone who needed him. His experiences have made him a great, caring, giving, and successful person.
I cried more than I thought I could possibly cry that day. I cried in my husband's arms in the parking lot. I cried when he left in his own truck to go to work. I cried while driving to my friend's house where I cried most of the day. Leaving my son in rehab was a very difficult thing to do. Knowing that the alienation that had been taking place in our relationship just multiplied by a thousand percent; knowing that he needed help that I didn't know how to give him myself; knowing that somehow I failed him as a parent; knowing that I might not see him again for over a week or more; and knowing that going home to an empty house was going to make me ache for my little boy made me just flood the earth with my tears.
And now it was November 2011. One year later. What do you do to mark one year from the time that you put your child in rehab? One year from the time that he started his road to sobriety. One year that had a few rocky days that may have included what is termed as relapse, when he may or may not have taken some pills. I knew that most recovering addicts realize that if they relapse, they start counting their sobriety again with Day 1 and they resume their journey. My son adamently denies relapsing in any way, shape, or form. He wants us to believe him and to believe in him.
I thought it was very important for us to show that we do believe in him by celebrating his one year sober birthday. We went to the AA meeting that he regularly attends with his sponsor a few days after his one year sobriety date and saw him get his one year chip and heard him speak about how it was to be sober and how it is so worth it, and how he even appreciated his parents for doing what they did for him. I was so proud of him in that moment that my tears were tears of happiness and extreme gratitude. It was a moment that I would have shared with the world, but it was also a very private moment for my son, my husband, and I.
I decided to take him, the rest of our family, and his sponsor to a restaurant that serves Brazillian food, mainly a variety of meats brought around to tables by servers who then cut off portions for the diners. My son has eaten there once and has always wanted to go back, but we never have because it is quite expensive. This seemed to be a worthy occassion to pay the price.
Just to make sure that it wasn't wrong to have this kind of one year celebration, I sent an email to his sponsor. He knew about the questionable days, and I knew that he would give me the right advice. I trust this person with my son every day that he speaks to him, and every week that I leave him in charge of my son for a few hours. I trust him because he would do anything to help my son and anyone who needed him. His experiences have made him a great, caring, giving, and successful person.
This is the email that I sent:
“I don’t mean to bother you, but I have a question. Do you think it would be okay, if we had a one-year sobriety dinner/party when that date comes? I was thinking about taking him to Tucano’s, since he loves it so much, inviting our family, and you and your fiancé. I wanted to check with you on whether it was a good idea or not before I started making plans. He doesn’t know that I am thinking about doing this.
Thank you so much for all that you do for him. You will probably never know how much it means to us.”
He replied:
“First, let me assure you that you never bother me. You can contact me anytime no matter what. On the surface, I think it would be very important to celebrate his upcoming sobriety date. It can be tricky sometimes, though. I would maybe suggest that you ask him if he wanted to have dinner at Tucano’s with immediate family, then surprise him with everyone else. I know that it is important to him because it is a very big deal for an addict to go any length of time being sober, little alone a year. We would love to go.
I want you to know that I really don't do much for him. I care for him like a brother. You and your husband are amazing people, and even more amazing parents. I completely care about you all. I will help in any way I can. Without melodramatics, my life depends on being there for your son. So, in some aspects, I do it for very selfish reasons.”
So, I made the reservations and told our immediate family to come. (At the last minute, his sponsor wasn't able to make it. He had a lot going on at that time with his job and with a huge project and I understood but, I felt bad that he couldn't be there).
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| This is the page with all of the chips that he accumulated. |
Perfect.
I decided to make a scrapbook that would hold the letters, his 12 months of chips, the serenity prayer, the 12 steps, the two poems that I wrote for him, and some reminders of the goals that he had talked to me about during his summer birthday mini-vacation. It meant a lot to me to make this scrapbook for him. Everyone spent hours thinking about what to say to him in a letter. It turned out to be a very special scrapbook.
When we gave him the scrapbook after we ate our meal at Tucano’s, he acted mildly impressed. Knowing him, he was probably thinking if we were going to give him gifts, cash would have been nice, too.
He thumbed through the album, but didn’t read any of the letters right then. I don’t know if he has ever read them. I will share all of the letters (some in the next post) because they give a good picture of our whole family's love and concern for this boy and how much we all want him to remain on his path of healing and sobriety.
This was my letter:
“Well, this has been quite a year. Not the year that any of us would have chosen. It has been difficult, but you have made a lot of progress. It has been a long and hard process, but you have accomplished so much. I am very proud of you.
When things get tough, or you get discouraged, or if you think you aren’t strong, remember that you have tons of support and that I love you and I am always here for you.We have all contributed to this book for you to keep and read when you want to remember how proud we all are of you, or if you need to boost your spirits, or give yourself courage.
I wrote the next part in a letter to you one year ago. We have come a long way since then.
When you were a baby, we had a book that had this song in it:
“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
Always and forever,
My baby you’ll be.”
I made up my own music to that song and I sang it to you all the time. I even wrote it on the back of a rag doll that I made for your first Christmas so that it would be something that you would have forever. I wanted you to know how important you are to me and how much I love you.
You are so special to me. The first day that I saw you was one of the greatest days of my life. I loved you the minute that I knew about you and the love has just grown and grown every day after that. I want you to be happy and healthy in your heart, body, and soul.
I’ll love you forever.”
I made up my own music to that song and I sang it to you all the time. I even wrote it on the back of a rag doll that I made for your first Christmas so that it would be something that you would have forever. I wanted you to know how important you are to me and how much I love you.
You are so special to me. The first day that I saw you was one of the greatest days of my life. I loved you the minute that I knew about you and the love has just grown and grown every day after that. I want you to be happy and healthy in your heart, body, and soul.
I’ll love you forever.”
You are so awesome and amazing. You can accomplish great things. You have so much ability and have shown how strong you are. I love you more and more each day.
Never forget that.
Be awesome all the time.
Love,
Mom”
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| Gratitude is a big part of recovery and so are goals, so this page is for those two things. |
“Congratulations, you have made it to one year sobriety. I’m very proud of you for staying with the program.
I’m very excited about your new talents of drawing photography, and carving.
I will admit it has been a very difficult year for me watching you go through all you have gone through. I really missed the boy you used to be.
But, I like the achievements you are making and see the old you slowly coming back. I want you to know that I love you very much. I look forward to the day that you and I can have our relationship back as father and son. You are a great son.
You are loved by many and will be loved by many more through your life as you serve others. Your grandfather would be proud of you this day.
As you move forward in your life always remember your Heavenly Father is there for you. I’m there for you also if you need my help. Continue to move successfully forward towards a great life.
Congratulations again.
Love, Your Dad”
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| Just a page for inspiration. |
“I am so very thankful to have you in my life. That may not mean much to you, but you do mean the world to me. I consider you something like a little brother I never had.
Life for a fifteen-year-old isn’t easy. The difficulties are compounded even more when the fifteen-year-old is attempting to live sober. In the last year, you have proven yourself to be an intelligent and worthwhile person without drugs. At this time, you have absolutely no lid upon your life. You can be whoever you wish to be. The only caveat is that you are willing to put in the time and effort to make your dreams a reality. Of course, that includes staying sober—one day at a time.
I know it is tough at times, but all you need to do is look around; there are so many people who care immensely for you and want nothing but the best for you. I told you the other night that you are one of the smartest people I know. I hope you know I do not say that lightly. I try never to say anything I do not mean. I am so proud of you. However, as you know, you need to start working harder in everything you do. Always do your best! Ninety percent of life is stepping up to the plate, five percent is being willing to fail, and the last five is being willing to swing again. All your dreams will come true if you continue to work at your life.
Believe in yourself because everyone else believes in you. If ten people are telling you something you do not know, then you don’t know something those ten people know. You have a friend in me. I promise you, I will always be there for you if you choose to have me. I expect great things from you. You have no excuses from here on out not to be an amazing person. You already are, but there is always plenty of work to be done, especially when it comes to your life.
Happy sober birthday, buddy!”
I liked a lot of the things that his sponsor said, like: "You need to start working harder in everything you do."
"All your dreams will come true if you continue to work at your life."
"You have no excuses from here on out not to be an amazing person. You already are, but there is always plenty of work to be done, especially when it comes to your life."
"All your dreams will come true if you continue to work at your life."
"You have no excuses from here on out not to be an amazing person. You already are, but there is always plenty of work to be done, especially when it comes to your life."
So, we celebrated one year from one of the hardest days of all of our lives.
He is sober.
He is healing, but the phrase recovering addict says a lot. I think the recovering part is ongoing. The "getting your life back on track phase" is going to be a long, long process for him and may not even happen for many years.
For now, he will just take another 24.
And so will I.
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