The Two Silver Dollars

Not too long ago I was in a conversation with a man that I work with named Dale.  Dale is really great to conversate with about anything really so from time to time I'll share with him things about personal struggles or mind-boggling matters.   Since my friend that has gotten out of recovery was doing so well, I approached Dale to tell him the good news.  Dale asked, "what was your friend in recovery for?"  I told him it was alcohol and then Dale told me a story about the time that his Grandad gave him two silver dollars.  This story impacted me so much that I realized that through my recovery I still to this day never really reached out to my children directly and personally about their thoughts on my drinking versus not drinking.  I have great relationships with all my kids, but I'm aware of many times where alcohol didn't help a situation. I'm also aware that after hearing Dales story that there may be some permanent brain stains my kids have that I created during the times they were growing up and I was drinking pretty heavy.  Hearing Dales story of the two silver dollars not only made me contact my children on these matters, but also my wife.  In this episode I share some deep things about myself that yes, I'm ashamed of.  But I share them now because of the reality and the importance of putting it out there for others to hear that are currently in that state.  Or for those that know of someone living in the trap of addiction but in strong denial.  I realize daily after talking with my wife and my beautiful children how lucky I am that nothing is permanently broken, and we're all living so much happier and better because the monster is dead.