I've shared here once before about an incident where a gal I knew in the fellowship and I went to a party. Long story short there was some serious booze in one of the deserts we were eating. That incident did not send me back out to drinking -although I did want some more of that dessert - I did make a trip to my sponsor.

That gal that went to the same party, ate the same desert, went back out that night.

Yesterday the Mrs. and I joined some of our new friends on the island for a Christmas brunch. There was plenty of booze, including mimosa, O.J. and Champaign, and “spiced” Egg Nogg.

Our hosts know that I have an allergy to alcohol, and I am not the only non drinker in the group, so our hostess gently pointed out which things had booze in them to me and I thanked her. This included the fruit compote for the French toast casserole that had been marinated in triple sec and cooked.

Our Host knows what the little triangle in a circle necklace that I wear means and has let me know he thinks it’s something he respects. – Wow someone respecting the fact that I’m a recovering alcoholic.

Near the middle of the gathering (we were supposed to wind down at 3 and were having so much fun just talking it was almost 6 before we wandered out) our hostess came up to me and said she had never heard of someone with an allergy to alcohol before and asked me about it. Her husband stood behind her kind of surprised and not sure what to do or say. I quietly explained that it causes me to break out, then, even more quietly explained that meant breaking out of third story bedroom windows, cop cars, jobs…)

At first she did not know how to react but when she saw me smiling about it I added that what I have found instead was well worth not taking a drink. I told her it included being able to be in polite company, enjoy myself and know I will not embarrass myself or my friends.

I do not live in fear of the next drink. I have learned to respect what it could do.

I enjoy swimming in the surf in the gulf here. I have learned about the rip currents, undertows and other hazards, in time I may even buy a wet suit and board and start to surf.

I am not going to live my life dominated by fear, I will learn to enjoy it responsibly and with respect for those things that can destroy it, rip currents, undertows and the next drink.