Day 6

Life without alcohol is so relaxing and laid back.  I'm finally feeling some benefits I've been seeking.  I'm never in a hurry.  I'm never rushed or anxious.  I don't mind if I have to stay a little longer or be up a little later.  I'm not worried about that next drink all the time.

For years, I've felt guilty because I'd cut family gatherings short.  I'd miss the opportunity to visit with my dear elderly great aunts because I 'had to get home'.  On Day 1 I not only got to visit with my great aunts, I had the pleasure of driving them home to their retirement village.  I even got the grand tour of their apartments.  This has been on my procrastination list for years!  Alcoholics are some of the worst procrastinators.

Arriving at their apartment felt great.  I was eager to see what was inside.  Were their apartments similar to what their homes were like?  I had this picture in my head of each.  Both were delightful memories from when I was a child.

The first stop was humbling.   She proudly showed me her little apartment, even the bathroom and bedroom.  It was all one needed, so simple and quaint.  Neither of them ever married or had children.  It wasn't as cluttered as I remembered.  Just a simple shrine of old black and white wedding photos of her parents nestled near some religious artifacts decorated her shelves.  What a relaxing life.  Just my great aunt, her memories, and clearly the Lord.  I think my other great aunt sensed my disappointment as they dismissed me.  She asked me if I'd like to see her apartment just a few doors down.  I told her I'd be delighted.  As we entered her apartment it was just as I imagined!  She always had very feminine taste.  Curio cabinets full of crystal, doilies, and China dazzled the room.  It was like I had entered the story  'A Cup of Christmas Tea'.

Her bedroom had a ruffled peach bed spread.  Her vanity had an antique hand-held mirror and matching comb and brush, and a quiet old lady whispering hush.  Sorry, I got a little carried away there.  I've never wrote anything like this before, so I often feel so 'cheesy' when I use descriptive writing, hence the sarcasm from 'Goodnight Moon'.  Focus.  Continue.  She too had a religious shrine near her nightstand.  It had a beautiful picture of Jesus, a braided palm, and a prayer.  That's it!  The missing link!  The wonderful women didn't need things to fulfill their lives, they just needed the Lord. One of the 12 steps of recovery is surrendering to a higher power.  I get the hint Lord.  I have a lot of work to do.

Now, back to my version on 'A Cup of Christmas Tea'.  I complimented my great aunt's amazing collections.  One curio was filled with hundreds of bells.  Some were crystal, some gold, and most from her travels around the world.  Priceless!  The other was filled with years of heirlooms.  One serving dish was actually given to her by her own grandmother.  What precious treasures.  She couldn't believe my reaction.  If she only knew I spent hours admiring similar  pieces at antique shops and estate auctions.

She slowly reached down and gently lifted a piece from the cabinet.  It was a beautiful white glass candy dish.  It was a 'Fenton' with raised bumps on the outside, three legs, and a ruffled brim.  She told me I should have it.  I couldn't believe it!  What a wonderful gift that I will treasure forever.  An heirloom from my Great Aunt Marie.  A reminder and a symbol from Day 1 of my amazing journey.