June 11th is a day that holds two very important meanings to my life. One, it’s the day I was born back in 1972. And two, it’s the day I began my clean and sober spiritual journey from alcohol and drugs back in 1995. So yes, I’m 43 years old now, but definitely far more significant is the fact I’m also celebrating 20 years of sobriety this June 11th.
While I’m more than grateful to have been blessed with another year of life, the only thing I truly want to celebrate is reaching a milestone I once thought was virtually impossible. I remember all those days when I couldn’t go a single 24 hours without getting drunk or high, and now by the grace of God, I’ve strung together 175,200 of them.
So I give thanks to my Higher Power, Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, and the 12 Steps for guiding my life into a much healthier place. And, I want to give thanks as well to all those out there in the world who have continued to believe in me, through thick and thin, through hell and high water, and through all the highs and lows that have come from being a part of my life. I will always have such an immense amount of gratitude to all of you for helping me find myself, find God, and find freedom from a life of addiction. I love you all…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson