My New Family

Well, "new" isn't exactly the very best word, we've been together a bit over four years and it's gone by so very quickly. I lost a thirty-year marriage and got sober at about the same time - maybe there's a connection, eh?

Starting fresh at 55, just over 5 years ago, isn't exactly recommended, but it was move forward or get stuck trying to change the past. Move forward. Maybe some day I'll get into that history, but not right now.

I met Angelina in my early sobriety, our paths crossed a few times in my first year. One day I asked her out for coffee and we've been together ever since. She has a son, Cedric, who was 8 when we first got together, he's 12 now and a truly wonderful young man. It's odd, I promised myself I would not get involved with a woman who had young children and here I am.

After four years we have many challenges & oddball situations, but above all we have a great deal of love among the three of us. It just works. If course, it helps that Angel and I still turn each other on! Angel confronts situations that I've always run awayor hidden from, and I'm slowly learning it's safe to do that. I was never good at it, which contributed to my previous downfall.

Just a month ago I gave her a ring. I guess it can be called a commitment ring because we agree we will not get married any time soon. We are a committed couple and it's time for the world to see it, so she gets a ring. Angel is my gal, my partner.

I don't think I can get into my relationships without discussing sobriety, so I'll save that for another day. It's all connected, you see. My previous life was so incredibly untrue that I almost can't understand who that man was. I'm still finding me but the search is pretty exciting because I'm seeing life more clearly every day. It wasn't until about 4 years sober that I was able to think in terms of self awareness. Unbelievable.

Most of my close friends today are sober, another surprise. It's surprising to me how very much alike we all are, through an amazing diversity of stories. Ah, it's late. More later.