Gratitude

Feeling incredibly grateful tonight...  sitting here, tearing up actually... words are so inadequate.  

When I first entered recovery, I started a practice whereby I write at least three things that I'm grateful for every day (well, nearly every day; sometimes the day gets away from me)...  and I share these with others.  In turn, I receive gratitudes from a variety of individuals on a daily basis, too.  It's pretty neat!   

Here are my gratitudes for today:

• feeling some relief from the financial pressure cooker...  because of YOU, your support, your donations, we have been able to bring our utilities current - this includes electric/gas, water/sewer/trash, cell phone, and internet.  We had received disconnect notices on all - and even had our internet (my lifeline to the outside world when I'm unable to leave the house due to my health) disconnected for awhile. 
• the bundled cost for our homeowners and car insurance dropped significantly once we removed my car from the policy.
• I received notice late yesterday that the attorney I really wanted to work with for my appeal with Social Security Disability accepted my case.  We're moving forward!  I have a follow-up phone interview with her on Thursday this coming week. 
• the itchiness from head to toe that I've had for now four days...  seems to be under better control.  I've been popping the benadryl every four hours (so, doing a better job of staying on top of it - not letting myself get to the point where I'm so itchy that I'm going bat shit crazy!) and am on day two of the nine-day course of prednisone.  And, I was able to wrap up rewashing all of the laundry that was previously washed in ALL's version of the free & clear detergent.  I will FOREVER be a loyal, devoted fan of 7th Generation's zero dyes and zero perfume laundry detergent! 
• I attended an online GLBT & Allies NA meeting this evening that was open to everyone - regardless of their type of addiction (if any).  We used our computer video cameras and microphones to communicate with each other - taking turns to share our thoughts on the reading.  Maybe 10 of us spoke - out of a group of 32.  I made two new friends - Ryan (the chair) and Josh (fellow addict).  It felt good to talk about the question "how" - how do I remain abstinent from alcohol/drugs?  How do I walk through life on life's terms? 
• Lastly, yet most importantly, I am grateful today for my tribe.  Thank you for your support and unconditional love!  <3