What's happening now... it's My 13th Birthday

This is my story of a decision that changed my life... of starting again... taking the next step... and learning to celebrate progress along the way.

On October 4, 2026, I celebrate 13 years sober. 🥳 🍰

I’m sharing this because maybe there's a decision in your life waiting to be made, too. 💗

Posted on Facebook October 4, 2025:

NEWS never shared before… Happy 12th Sober Birthday to ME!

My world changed in an instant when “POP”… I lost the hearing in my left ear. It was traumatic!

At the time, Phil and I were living at an all-time high with our upcoming 30th Anniversary, boys doing FAB in College and our best Mary Kay Year Ever. This loss did not make sense!

My ENT believed it was caused by a virus.

Hyperbaric Treatments and extreme steroids could only bring back Charlie Brown’s teacher’s voice in my ear, “Wah-wah-wah, wah-wah, wahhh” and the steroids triggered Acne Rosacea which I deal with to this very day.

After exhausting all treatment forms and incessant prayer, the slippery slope of loss and grief were eased each night with drinking wine.

I could physically feel the relief of the pain after navigating a long, hard day of losing 50% of my world.

It was earth shattering!

I was coping, soothing and escaping.

While using wine each night really helped, deep down I was scared.

Then the scale tipped.

I was at a fork in the road.

Then came the defining moment…

“If I continue drinking 3-4 glasses of wine every single night, this could go very wrong. Yes, I always used wine as my go-to, but it has now gone too far.”

THAT was it.

I knew I HAD to stop, completely.

That night I drove to a nearby city to secretly attend an AA Meeting by myself.

I felt completely vulnerable, deeply defeated, but desperate to learn what I needed to do to navigate loss, grief and now an unhealthy and potentially life-threatening habit.

Thank you to Diana and Lisa who genuinely and wholeheartedly greeted me that very night. Thank you, Colette, whose story inspired me to stop drinking!

Thank you to all who stand ready to serve at AA Meetings! You know who you are.

For 18 months I attended meetings 1-2 times a week and heard and learned what I personally needed to understand. My takeaway was, “If I go back to drinking, the desire will only increase and it will be even HARDER to quit a second time.”

For me, it took almost 3 months before the every night “thoughts of drinking” stopped calling to me.

To this day, at times, it’s tempting to enjoy drink at a party, but I’m not willing to risk my health and well being.

To be completely honest, yes, on occasion if there is a “Toast,” I’ll take a glass and celebrate with a very tiny sip or two in that moment, but never beyond that. Never.

Up to this point, this has been a very personal journey. But now I’ve come to new Fork-in-the-Road… I will Speak and Share. My prayer is that my story brings hope to others.

With the Love and support of my husband Phil, my family and the grace of God, I’m incredibly grateful to celebrate 12 years today.

ONE YEAR LATER...

After posting this... here I am... celebrating 13 years. I'm sooo excited and grateful!

I've had dreams that I was drinking again... only to wake up incredibly grateful that I made the decision to stop. :)

Thank you, thank you for reading along.