Aa
Understanding It
Hi Everyone,
I am the wife of an addict as you can tell by my name. He is addicted to codiene. He has been taking this for maybe 2 years now, and what i know is that he is up to at least 12 a day. He is only 24, and is experiencing great health problems. I need to understand this disease if this marraige is going to work. We are going today to tell our family and going to the doc to get something to mask his withdrawal symptoms, as he quit 5 days ago. He has enrolled in a 21 day rehab clinic. He starts that beginning of January. So he will be gone for 3 weeks...good break for me! I feel like i have to watch him 24/7 and i have a life too! I am really frustrated, but i am trying to be there for him the best i can. This is the second time i have found out. He has been lying to me about it for a long time. He seems sincere in his quest to stop. I just don't understand addiction, although it runs in my family. I can only understand it from my point of view, having being hurt by it over and over again by many people. Please help me understand this, so i can calm down and be more supportive.
Wishing you all luck and happiness,
Catherine
I am the wife of an addict as you can tell by my name. He is addicted to codiene. He has been taking this for maybe 2 years now, and what i know is that he is up to at least 12 a day. He is only 24, and is experiencing great health problems. I need to understand this disease if this marraige is going to work. We are going today to tell our family and going to the doc to get something to mask his withdrawal symptoms, as he quit 5 days ago. He has enrolled in a 21 day rehab clinic. He starts that beginning of January. So he will be gone for 3 weeks...good break for me! I feel like i have to watch him 24/7 and i have a life too! I am really frustrated, but i am trying to be there for him the best i can. This is the second time i have found out. He has been lying to me about it for a long time. He seems sincere in his quest to stop. I just don't understand addiction, although it runs in my family. I can only understand it from my point of view, having being hurt by it over and over again by many people. Please help me understand this, so i can calm down and be more supportive.
Wishing you all luck and happiness,
Catherine
Happy New Year to all of you. I'm still hanging in there thanks to all the support and knowing "This too shall Pass". But WHEN??? Just can't get past this horrible tiredness and weakness. No motivation to move much yet. The effort it takes to do anything at all is monumental. UGH!!! I didn't think that going from 3 Darvocet (after all that Norco) a day for 5 days to nothing at all would have such an effect as it has. I keep wondering "How many more days of this"?
Well Happy New Years to all. Up early, went and got the krispy creams for the fam. I have to say to rex and methman, your ability to convey the reality and hope for addicts, wife of addicts in the written word, is amazing, full of love and humanity. If only the rest of the world could get some of this.
This has been one of the most touching threads I have read in the time I have been here. So today will be about gratitude for the life I have, the country I live in and most impotantly, my fellow country men serving and defending our freedoms.
My disease is no longer a curse WHEN I AM NOT USING and helping others, for me it is NA and now those with HCV of which I am cured. God , that sounds so great to say. NA works for me and there are many roads to recovery. Anyhow, this disease kept in check with active recovery, the theraputic value of one addict helping another on the tough road to recovery, just might be the most important gift God wants me to have. Of course, when I am using it is satan himself and the disease when active is out to destroy me and anyone who loves me.
Strength and Honor
Greg
This has been one of the most touching threads I have read in the time I have been here. So today will be about gratitude for the life I have, the country I live in and most impotantly, my fellow country men serving and defending our freedoms.
My disease is no longer a curse WHEN I AM NOT USING and helping others, for me it is NA and now those with HCV of which I am cured. God , that sounds so great to say. NA works for me and there are many roads to recovery. Anyhow, this disease kept in check with active recovery, the theraputic value of one addict helping another on the tough road to recovery, just might be the most important gift God wants me to have. Of course, when I am using it is satan himself and the disease when active is out to destroy me and anyone who loves me.
Strength and Honor
Greg
Hey, I hope you are doing good today! Thanks, and it seems I can't write a short post.
Praying for ya sis!
Rex
Praying for ya sis!
Rex
Hey buddy - what a heartfelt post! Your ability to give so much of yourself always amazes me. I was feeling pretty weak until reading your posts to alone; I can identify so much with what you said. Anyway, your post was my inspiration today. (With teeipup's "mishap" giving me a big tee-hee)...laughter is so good for the soul. Take care, Lisabet
Somehow, some way, God blessed me with an unquenchable desire to NOT be like my parents. There are times when I have to push back the hate I have for what they did to our whole family with their little Vodka martinis. They are cowards in many ways. But then I remember the fact that their generation is not really a "recovery friendly" generation, and I have to forgive, even though they have not asked to be forgiven. There is nothing more difficult!
That generation drinks, and thats that. Alcohol for that gen was their "thing", like I suppose prescription drugs may be one day thought of as our generation's "thing". (I am 30-10, aka 40 years old)
Quitting alcohol took me two years from the time I actively acknowledged that I wanted to quit. So committed was I to quitting (but couldn't pull it off) that I went to see an addiction doctor. No DUI, no lost job, but a wife that basically said "sober or I am gone". (See George W. Bush's story)
He offered me - what else, a pill! called Antabuse. Ok, when you take this medicine, and then drink, you get really really sick, or so they told me. What happened to me was I turned beet red, and my asthma went into overdrive! I did that once, maybe twice, and then I quit alcohol.
There was a day, when I "awoke" from an 18 year alcohol habit, with three months or so of sobriety under my belt and viewed the world with such clarity, enegry and just well, zest! "So this is what it's like to be sober, huh?" Probably best year of my life...
I hope you will really hear what I am saying right now, because I truly believe I am right about this.
Your husband cannot, I repeat CANNOT, AND WILL NOT, be able to help himself through this. This is Step 1 of the aa Big book, you are Powerless... Now the trick is, how do you help him, when you he is filled with hatred, or being just plain stubborn? That is the 64 Million dollar question.
What I have found is that we addicts like two things:
* Quick fix
* Easy fix
for our problems. A pill - it's wonderful thing! Take this pill, 20 minutes later - BOOM - all is well, for a while, or until your next one. The truth - hard work is what is needed to heal most problems, which in many ways is the opposite of a pill:
Not a quick fix
Not an easy fix
BUT.........has permanent benefits!
What do you do for a bad back - streching or pop a pill? One is easy, one is hard. What do you do for stress - exercise or pop a pill? One is easy, the other is ....well you get the idea.
If there is anyway that, in a soft and caring tone, you can talk to him, and let him know that you would like to walk through the recovery fire together, I would recommend it! Healing broken fences, while acknowledging that it won't be quick and wont be easy, will bring unparalleled happiness to your life - I promise.
There is a Don Henley song ( played with the Eagles) that I like, because of the lyrics, that speak volumes about a tough subject - healing.
"I
That generation drinks, and thats that. Alcohol for that gen was their "thing", like I suppose prescription drugs may be one day thought of as our generation's "thing". (I am 30-10, aka 40 years old)
Quitting alcohol took me two years from the time I actively acknowledged that I wanted to quit. So committed was I to quitting (but couldn't pull it off) that I went to see an addiction doctor. No DUI, no lost job, but a wife that basically said "sober or I am gone". (See George W. Bush's story)
He offered me - what else, a pill! called Antabuse. Ok, when you take this medicine, and then drink, you get really really sick, or so they told me. What happened to me was I turned beet red, and my asthma went into overdrive! I did that once, maybe twice, and then I quit alcohol.
There was a day, when I "awoke" from an 18 year alcohol habit, with three months or so of sobriety under my belt and viewed the world with such clarity, enegry and just well, zest! "So this is what it's like to be sober, huh?" Probably best year of my life...
I hope you will really hear what I am saying right now, because I truly believe I am right about this.
Your husband cannot, I repeat CANNOT, AND WILL NOT, be able to help himself through this. This is Step 1 of the aa Big book, you are Powerless... Now the trick is, how do you help him, when you he is filled with hatred, or being just plain stubborn? That is the 64 Million dollar question.
What I have found is that we addicts like two things:
* Quick fix
* Easy fix
for our problems. A pill - it's wonderful thing! Take this pill, 20 minutes later - BOOM - all is well, for a while, or until your next one. The truth - hard work is what is needed to heal most problems, which in many ways is the opposite of a pill:
Not a quick fix
Not an easy fix
BUT.........has permanent benefits!
What do you do for a bad back - streching or pop a pill? One is easy, one is hard. What do you do for stress - exercise or pop a pill? One is easy, the other is ....well you get the idea.
If there is anyway that, in a soft and caring tone, you can talk to him, and let him know that you would like to walk through the recovery fire together, I would recommend it! Healing broken fences, while acknowledging that it won't be quick and wont be easy, will bring unparalleled happiness to your life - I promise.
There is a Don Henley song ( played with the Eagles) that I like, because of the lyrics, that speak volumes about a tough subject - healing.
"I
Thank you Rex. Today is a bit better compared to the last two days but still very very hard. I wonder if some of this weakness is associated with recovery from the surgery. I hope things get alot better because I have to return to work...probably by Jan. 3rd. I have a highly stressful job. I have not experienced the back and forth issues that is going on with my husband. I remember one day when he said to me..."I (meaning him) have a Pill and Alcohol Problem"... But he just continues to use and abuse. He also has a Son(13 yrs. old)from a prior marriage that he has physical custody of (joint custody with his Ex). I wonder what damage is going on with his Son as he witneses his father drinking and mixing Pain Killers. UGH!!! I never realized that the back and forth stuff was typical behavior of substance abuse. I have been looking around some more about withdrawl from substance abuse. I found that withdrawl from dual addictions can be very dangerous...with the greater danger being from alcohol. What happened to you when you stopped drinking?
Thank you Rex. You are not out of line, so don't worry. You are right when you say my husband is probably a much better person without the Pain killers. I would E-Mail him about this Forum, but he doesn't have a computer. Right now, he isn't interested in making this marriage work. He just flips back and forth, and very stubborn. Right now, he doesn't want to hear from me, so I leave him alone. And yet he was there for my surgery...I just don't get it. His back and forth stuff with us literally changes from day to day. I don't have much Hope for us right now.
That back and forth stuff is classic narcotics driven behavior!
He is not him and you are not you. Who knows what may happen if you guys are yourselves again.
I wish for all the best for you....
Rex
He is not him and you are not you. Who knows what may happen if you guys are yourselves again.
I wish for all the best for you....
Rex
I hear you. I hear you, and I know and have experienced a lot of what you are going through - except that I am "The husband" in this case.
Let me say first on the way that you are feeling - this is what we are all going through or have gone through. It isn't fun, but you have to stick it out. Do whatever you can to take your attention away from it, and make yourself comfortable with baths or hot showers or a hot tub. Take ibuprofren if you have it.
As far as your marriage of course I will pray for you. Let me say this - your husband, if he is on Norco is not your husband and you are not you - how about that one!?? Take a newlywed couple, Ok... And don't change anything about their relationship, their surroundings, their careers, or their family (or kids if they have them) Only change two things - the man and the woman. Looking in from the outside, what chance would you give a marriage where during the marriage, you completely changed both participants of that marriage?
Well that is exactly what the Norco does, and did to me. It was a true Jekyl and Hyde thing. For me, the main thing was it made constantly cranky and difficult. I was a pain in the butt (more than my usual ;-)). I was critical, I could be verbally abusive and I was generally a bad husband on Norco. I was not myself. My wife,, the most understanding wife in the world btw, was NOT on any meds, so she bore the brunt of it. But then I realized I wanted me back for her, and for me.
I would be divorced today if I still drank (7 years sober there) and I would be headed that way as well on the Norco had I not wanted to get off it it so badly.
So I submit this to you. Think of your husband right now, and of course I don't know him, but I know this - he is a much better person than he is on the drugs. If you could strip away the drugs, then the guy left standing is probably the guy you love. Mirror facing you now... The girl without the drugs will be a better person, (unless you have heavy chronic pain that requires you to take it to function.)
Take two people, minus drugs, a heavy dose of forgiveness, and if nothing else changes, the marriage improves ten fold is my guess (just a guess). You guys just need to get there, which is unfortunately, the hard part.
But with God, all things are possible.
Email him the address of this forum and ask him to join us here. Maybe you guys could do it together.
I am sure I am somewhat out of line with all this advice to you, but it comes from experience.
Alcohol destroyed my mom and dad, their marriage, and their four kids. I was 15 when it crashed and burned. 6 lives destroyed or nearly destroyed. And the amazing thing is, not once did they have the common sense to say "Hey maybe we should quit drinking and see if our marriage improves".
Substance abuse changes people into people that they don't want to be. But the nature of the beast is that they can't see that through the fog of the abuse itself.
So take one stepp at a time, but use the hope many here give to motivate you. We have a member here - lifeisbetter - read some of their posts, and you will know - there is hope once you get clean.
We'll be here and you hang in there. God's Grace upon you..
Rex
Let me say first on the way that you are feeling - this is what we are all going through or have gone through. It isn't fun, but you have to stick it out. Do whatever you can to take your attention away from it, and make yourself comfortable with baths or hot showers or a hot tub. Take ibuprofren if you have it.
As far as your marriage of course I will pray for you. Let me say this - your husband, if he is on Norco is not your husband and you are not you - how about that one!?? Take a newlywed couple, Ok... And don't change anything about their relationship, their surroundings, their careers, or their family (or kids if they have them) Only change two things - the man and the woman. Looking in from the outside, what chance would you give a marriage where during the marriage, you completely changed both participants of that marriage?
Well that is exactly what the Norco does, and did to me. It was a true Jekyl and Hyde thing. For me, the main thing was it made constantly cranky and difficult. I was a pain in the butt (more than my usual ;-)). I was critical, I could be verbally abusive and I was generally a bad husband on Norco. I was not myself. My wife,, the most understanding wife in the world btw, was NOT on any meds, so she bore the brunt of it. But then I realized I wanted me back for her, and for me.
I would be divorced today if I still drank (7 years sober there) and I would be headed that way as well on the Norco had I not wanted to get off it it so badly.
So I submit this to you. Think of your husband right now, and of course I don't know him, but I know this - he is a much better person than he is on the drugs. If you could strip away the drugs, then the guy left standing is probably the guy you love. Mirror facing you now... The girl without the drugs will be a better person, (unless you have heavy chronic pain that requires you to take it to function.)
Take two people, minus drugs, a heavy dose of forgiveness, and if nothing else changes, the marriage improves ten fold is my guess (just a guess). You guys just need to get there, which is unfortunately, the hard part.
But with God, all things are possible.
Email him the address of this forum and ask him to join us here. Maybe you guys could do it together.
I am sure I am somewhat out of line with all this advice to you, but it comes from experience.
Alcohol destroyed my mom and dad, their marriage, and their four kids. I was 15 when it crashed and burned. 6 lives destroyed or nearly destroyed. And the amazing thing is, not once did they have the common sense to say "Hey maybe we should quit drinking and see if our marriage improves".
Substance abuse changes people into people that they don't want to be. But the nature of the beast is that they can't see that through the fog of the abuse itself.
So take one stepp at a time, but use the hope many here give to motivate you. We have a member here - lifeisbetter - read some of their posts, and you will know - there is hope once you get clean.
We'll be here and you hang in there. God's Grace upon you..
Rex
Hello Rex1. Today is NOT a good day. Alot of dizzyness, lightheaded...almost passed out. I am very weak and getting UP off the couch is a major effort. I hear what you are saying about the "Want" issue and agree that stopping any type of abusive behavior...to yourself...or to others...is impossible without help. But don't you think you have to want it first before any further steps can be taken? If a person does not WANT to stop taking Pain Killers, then it ends there. I don't beleive a person can even begin to try to stop unless they really want to. As far as me and my Husband go...I don't know where we are at right now. I kicked him out 8 months ago because he was abusive towards me. And the RAGES...Oh My God...the RAGES...unbeleivable. He has been taking Pain Killers for AT LEAST 4 years that I know of, but have heard from other people he has been taking them longer than that. He has gone through the beginning stages of withdrawl on numerous occasions only because he ran out of pills and couldn't get any more for a few days...and then right back to them. He tells me "I quit taking them, I don't need them any more" But I know that is not true. Heck, he even mixes them with alcohol all the time. He has literally driven great distances (appx. 100 miles) to a friend of his who gets a regular prescription (but doesn't take them) to get that guys pills and pays him for them. He is now on a regular prescription called "Anexia"...similar to Norco...not as strong...but stronger than Vicodin. Approximately 3 months into the separation, My husband initiated a reconciliation. However he vascillates back and forth about us. He can be very loving at times...and then turns into this monster saying and doing mean and hurtful things. It's so bizare. I went to the "I lift up my eyes" Prayer Web Ring and posted a ton of Prayer requests for this marriage...If you would include us into your Prayer list...that would be greatly appreciated. When we first got married, I had a prescription from a previous surgery that was at least a year old, and he found them and took them. I remember one day I wasn't feeling so hot, and my husband introduced me to how good a Vicodin can rev up your day. Then several more surgeries came for me and I just kept taking them and taking them and taking them...progressing to Norco...and having a Dr. that prescribes Pain Meds at the drop of a hat. And here I am today...HOOKED and going through withdrawls. I am miserable and angry at myself for enjoying the pills to much to stop...and angry at my Dr. for authorizing refills of Norco every 8 days...60 at a time over a lengthy period. My husband goes to the same Dr. How about that?
Could there be reconciliation with you and your husband once you are sober again?
Wanting to is great. But you're leaving out the first step in any 12 step program.
You (and your husband) in and of yourselves are...powerless.
I must respectfully disagree about the "wanting to" part. That is great and will help. But him quitting drugs is not difficult, it's not hard.
It's impossible.
He is powerless without help from you, his family, and in my opinion, God (some call higher power).
Just my opinion.
"with God, all things are possible".
If you hope for reconciliation, then I will pray for such if that's OK.
Glad you are here...
Rex
Wanting to is great. But you're leaving out the first step in any 12 step program.
You (and your husband) in and of yourselves are...powerless.
I must respectfully disagree about the "wanting to" part. That is great and will help. But him quitting drugs is not difficult, it's not hard.
It's impossible.
He is powerless without help from you, his family, and in my opinion, God (some call higher power).
Just my opinion.
"with God, all things are possible".
If you hope for reconciliation, then I will pray for such if that's OK.
Glad you are here...
Rex
Hello. I read your comment (Dec 2nd) concerning your Husband. I feel for you. My Husband and I are separated (8 months now). He is an addict...Vicodin and now a drug similar to Norco. He was an addict when I married him 3 years ago...but he hid it so well...and low and behold...I became one too, and in a relatively short time. It's no joke...once you are hooked, it is pure hell getting off of them. He is lucky to have you...a Wife in her right mind...not masked by substance abuse. Hang in there sweetie. Imagine the one thing in your life that you absolutely LOVE, have had it for a while, and can't do without (aside from your husband) and then you are forced to give it up. Not very pleasant. We go through various kinds of "withdrawl" at points in our life...loss of a loved one, weather through death or divorce, and we have to get use to being with out that person...or thing, or what ever it is we lost...and that process is a painful one...different, but it can be just as painful for some people...Then there are those times we long for the return of that lost husband, Parent, etc. or favorite thing...and so goes the withdrawl process from a drug...different in some ways, and not so different in others...But painful all the same. But I can tell you this...all the threats in the world will not make him stop...He has to WANT to stop.
Just wanted to say Hi and I hope you have a great Christmas! Haven't heard from you in a couple days. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
~Kell
~Kell
Thank you for the post. Makes one stop and think what really matters in life - it made me feel very humbled. God bless our troops! Peace/Love, Lisabet
lmao@ "anyone not getting mail today" ...First time I've laughed in awhile, thank you!
Yes, the military checks everything, suprised they don't smell there underwear. LOL What you can do when you label it AFTER you put the address of where your sending it, which is usually an APO or FPO address (KellyAFB will explain that better) you can look up a list of the guys over there. I will tell you this, You really want the package to go to Staff Sgt's and below (in rank) because the ones above get a lot more sent to them. KellAFB might (most bases do) give a few names of guys oversees that you can send things too.
Also, when you call the base you are going to get some a-holes on the phone, get someone higher up if possible because the higher up the more accurate info you'll get.
I called my coodinator this afternoon and left her a messege about this, she will call me tomorrow and I will find out some more info for you as well. Have a good evening!
~Kell
Yes, the military checks everything, suprised they don't smell there underwear. LOL What you can do when you label it AFTER you put the address of where your sending it, which is usually an APO or FPO address (KellyAFB will explain that better) you can look up a list of the guys over there. I will tell you this, You really want the package to go to Staff Sgt's and below (in rank) because the ones above get a lot more sent to them. KellAFB might (most bases do) give a few names of guys oversees that you can send things too.
Also, when you call the base you are going to get some a-holes on the phone, get someone higher up if possible because the higher up the more accurate info you'll get.
I called my coodinator this afternoon and left her a messege about this, she will call me tomorrow and I will find out some more info for you as well. Have a good evening!
~Kell
THANK YOU KELL!
I'm not far at all from Kelly AFB located in San Antonio, Texas.
I'll contact them to see if they can help me get something over there.
I wonder if they can even receive stuff now. Isn't the military worried about some moron sending bad stuff in the mail, like happened here in the States for a while? I'm sure they must scan it and check the contents, right? I hope so.
Thanks for the list! I'll contact Kelly AFB and see if I can ship a box full of goodies. How do I label it? Do I just put, "To whoever didn't get mail today" on it?
EVERYONE ought to be doing this, I think.
Thank you for your help!
Peace,
Mike
I'm not far at all from Kelly AFB located in San Antonio, Texas.
I'll contact them to see if they can help me get something over there.
I wonder if they can even receive stuff now. Isn't the military worried about some moron sending bad stuff in the mail, like happened here in the States for a while? I'm sure they must scan it and check the contents, right? I hope so.
Thanks for the list! I'll contact Kelly AFB and see if I can ship a box full of goodies. How do I label it? Do I just put, "To whoever didn't get mail today" on it?
EVERYONE ought to be doing this, I think.
Thank you for your help!
Peace,
Mike
.....And by the way, sending things from "HOME" to anyone over there puts a smile on there face, no matter what it is. I have been thinking and I think you can call a command post, (IE: Fort Knox (kentucky) , or Camp Pentleton (Califorina) ) and get some answers about where to send some things. I will tell you things, I've been involved in the military for many years and I can give you alittle hint of what the men and woman like to recieve....I've numbered them from 1-10 from what I've learned over the years (1 being the most enjoyed)
10- Candy, gum, snacks (pringles for sure ) LOL
9- Hand games, pocket games (IE: slots, solitare)
8- Bath items
7- Local Newspapers
6- pocket calendars
5- Over the counter Head ache meds (only thing they can receive
is Advil or Tylenel)
4- Magazines (non-nudity) LOL (there not allowed)
3- telephone and address book
2- VHS movies (NO DVD's) Some of the guys can watch movies)
1- Disposable camera
Hope this helps. I will see about how you can send things. I think you doing a great thing. Thank you!
~Kell
10- Candy, gum, snacks (pringles for sure ) LOL
9- Hand games, pocket games (IE: slots, solitare)
8- Bath items
7- Local Newspapers
6- pocket calendars
5- Over the counter Head ache meds (only thing they can receive
is Advil or Tylenel)
4- Magazines (non-nudity) LOL (there not allowed)
3- telephone and address book
2- VHS movies (NO DVD's) Some of the guys can watch movies)
1- Disposable camera
Hope this helps. I will see about how you can send things. I think you doing a great thing. Thank you!
~Kell
Wow! Thats all I can say -- WOW! I send care packages through a key volunteer program here on base. Where would you be sending it from , maybe I could help you. I'm at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. It's been a rough 2 months, which is how long he's been gone.
I do a lot of praying! I will tell you this, anyone that says praying is a waste of time has no clue what there talking about. God, has answered a lot of my prayers and has helped me through this, especially since I was detoxing as well. Give me a little more info and I'll ask my key volunteer for you..... I can reach her 24/7! If you have a program like that where you are, GET INVOLVED! It is wonderful and gets a lot of negative things off your mind. Afganistan is not someplace you want to think about a loved one being, let along Iraq or anywhere else. Good luck to you and keep in touch.....I will help you all I can.
~Kell
I do a lot of praying! I will tell you this, anyone that says praying is a waste of time has no clue what there talking about. God, has answered a lot of my prayers and has helped me through this, especially since I was detoxing as well. Give me a little more info and I'll ask my key volunteer for you..... I can reach her 24/7! If you have a program like that where you are, GET INVOLVED! It is wonderful and gets a lot of negative things off your mind. Afganistan is not someplace you want to think about a loved one being, let along Iraq or anywhere else. Good luck to you and keep in touch.....I will help you all I can.
~Kell
Kell,
You can help me I think. For the past two weeks, I have been TRYING to find a way to send out a care package and a thank you letter to the troops on the ground in that God forsaken hell hole.
Do you have a means by which I can contact someone and mail something? I don't want it to go to the higher ups, but the grunt on the ground. My Dad fought in Korea, my grandfather was at Omaha Beach in WWII. They said that "SOMETHING" from home helped them through the hard spots.
Thought I'd share the following. It's from a troop on the ground where your husband is.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF FREEDOM
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
All the best,
MethMan
You can help me I think. For the past two weeks, I have been TRYING to find a way to send out a care package and a thank you letter to the troops on the ground in that God forsaken hell hole.
Do you have a means by which I can contact someone and mail something? I don't want it to go to the higher ups, but the grunt on the ground. My Dad fought in Korea, my grandfather was at Omaha Beach in WWII. They said that "SOMETHING" from home helped them through the hard spots.
Thought I'd share the following. It's from a troop on the ground where your husband is.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF FREEDOM
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
All the best,
MethMan
Good morning. Yes, it's good to be back. Missed posting with you guys. Learned so much in here. I see we both made it through the detox!! I wondered about you everyday.
My husband is in Afganistan right now. No, he wont be home for Christmas. I just ask that everyone pray for those guys over there that they do come home safe!
I'll be here a lot more now because I find this forum keeops me sane. LOL Talk to you soon.
~kell
My husband is in Afganistan right now. No, he wont be home for Christmas. I just ask that everyone pray for those guys over there that they do come home safe!
I'll be here a lot more now because I find this forum keeops me sane. LOL Talk to you soon.
~kell
Rex,
Do not give me any of the credit. It is ALL yours brother. YOU did it. If I was capable of brightening the path a little, it was only because of the power given to me by bmac. And like Percs said, he walked with bmac, bmac gave it to me and I simply passed it on. I am nothing more than another person fighting this hell.
To see a true miracle beyond measure, check out the people JUST ON THIS THREAD. Is it not amazing to see miracles working in each dark corner? I've got goosebumps just thinking about the strength these people have in this fight.
Look at what you've done my friend. You've organized an army of warriors against the cause. Do you feel special? I doubt it. More like grateful, appreciative and a new found kindness for your fellow man. What strength. Determination. It is simply awesome and overwhelming to see it happen before my eyes.
You, above all are walking in the light. Shine on brother.
Peace,
Mike
Do not give me any of the credit. It is ALL yours brother. YOU did it. If I was capable of brightening the path a little, it was only because of the power given to me by bmac. And like Percs said, he walked with bmac, bmac gave it to me and I simply passed it on. I am nothing more than another person fighting this hell.
To see a true miracle beyond measure, check out the people JUST ON THIS THREAD. Is it not amazing to see miracles working in each dark corner? I've got goosebumps just thinking about the strength these people have in this fight.
Look at what you've done my friend. You've organized an army of warriors against the cause. Do you feel special? I doubt it. More like grateful, appreciative and a new found kindness for your fellow man. What strength. Determination. It is simply awesome and overwhelming to see it happen before my eyes.
You, above all are walking in the light. Shine on brother.
Peace,
Mike
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