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IF AND WHEN

August 16, 2021

Can ifs turn to when?
I live my life on ifs; most of us do, unfortunately.
If I would have tried harder
If I got the job that I really wanted
If I bought the perfect house in
That perfect neighborhood
What if I took a chance and followed my dreams?
What if I went to college?
What if I prayed with all my heart?
What if I believed in myself?
What if I hadn’t caused my family pain?
Painfully “If I hadn’t hurt my family”
If I didn’t put pressure on my son to be like me
What if I had been sober when my children were born?
What if I took time to watch my daughters play sports?
What if I believed my wife when she said: “she was there for me”?
What if I told them that I loved them unconditionally?
If I do turn to work through sobriety, it allows me to be a great person. I am reminded
of all I have when I am seeing clearly.
When I am sober, my life is wonderful. I am smart enough, I can love, I am happy
when I am sober.
When I am sober, I realize what I have, and it is all I need.
When I am sober dreams come true, my family loves me, I believe that God is there
for me.
Most importantly, I hug my son and accept him for who he is
I take my daughters to the father/daughter dance.
I love my wife as she loves me
When I am sober, I love myself!

~ Richard J.

This writing is selected as an excerpt from the book Effective Use of Creative Writing in the Treatment of Addiction to Chemical Substances, Eric A. Kreuter, Ph.D., editor, a clinician at St. Christopher’s Inn.
It is published by Nova Science Publishers, to learn more click HERE.

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Addiction Treatment & Recovery Community
21 Franciscan Way P.O. Box 150 Garrison, NY 10524
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