I once wrote a boastful blog saying that I was so cured of the alcohol habit, that no matter what happened in my life, good or bad, I would never be tempted to drink again.
Sadly, that boast has been put to the test with the loss this weekend of my beloved cat Scabby who was run over on Sunday and had to be put down. At least we were able to be with her when we said goodbye. To say that the little stray who wandered into our lives seven years ago had made herself an indispensable part of our family would be a massive understatement, and needless to say, my wife and I are devastated.
I remember when my mother died and then when my elder brother died being obviously upset, but I don’t recall ever having been this grief stricken. Perhaps it is because back then I immediately got drunk and stayed in an alcoholic daze for days or weeks, using my loss as an excuse to justify my drinking.
This time it never occurred to me to turn to drink and so the full flood of my emotions has been allowed to flow without check. Although this has been more painful that an alcohol ‘numbed’ approach, I know that by having my wits about me and being able to think clearly, I will recover more swiftly and sensibly, and be far more help to my wife in her grief than by adding to her pain through my drunkenness. My anger with life as to why Scabby had to be so suddenly taken from us has already abated.
Time is the great healer, not alcohol, and I know I will cherish only the happy memories I have of my dear little friend and companion. The little rascal was a regular feature on my blog posts and spectacularly appears in this video from my website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsCnSTYnOKo
It is so easy to use any downfall in life as an excuse to continue drinking, or to turn to the bottle. It adds nothing. I know that much. God Bless
Sadly, that boast has been put to the test with the loss this weekend of my beloved cat Scabby who was run over on Sunday and had to be put down. At least we were able to be with her when we said goodbye. To say that the little stray who wandered into our lives seven years ago had made herself an indispensable part of our family would be a massive understatement, and needless to say, my wife and I are devastated.
I remember when my mother died and then when my elder brother died being obviously upset, but I don’t recall ever having been this grief stricken. Perhaps it is because back then I immediately got drunk and stayed in an alcoholic daze for days or weeks, using my loss as an excuse to justify my drinking.
This time it never occurred to me to turn to drink and so the full flood of my emotions has been allowed to flow without check. Although this has been more painful that an alcohol ‘numbed’ approach, I know that by having my wits about me and being able to think clearly, I will recover more swiftly and sensibly, and be far more help to my wife in her grief than by adding to her pain through my drunkenness. My anger with life as to why Scabby had to be so suddenly taken from us has already abated.
Time is the great healer, not alcohol, and I know I will cherish only the happy memories I have of my dear little friend and companion. The little rascal was a regular feature on my blog posts and spectacularly appears in this video from my website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsCnSTYnOKo
It is so easy to use any downfall in life as an excuse to continue drinking, or to turn to the bottle. It adds nothing. I know that much. God Bless
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