60 years, 8 months & 1 day – Out of the womb.

60 years, 8 months & 1 day – Struggling to survive.

43 years, 9 months, 1 week & 2 days – Left the parental home.

38 years, 4 months, 3 weeks & 4 days – Walking with God

37 years, 7 months, 2 weeks & 5 days – Being a dad

36 years & 11 months 2 weeks & 5 days – Going out with Carina

26 years, 11 months & 2 weeks – Married to Carina

25 years, 10 months, 3 weeks & 2 days – Freelance

15 years, 6 months, 2 weeks & 6 days – Hiker & wild camper

10 years, 10 months, 1 week & 3 days – Saved by Mountain Rescue

8 years, 11 months, 3 weeks & 3 days – Cannabis-free

7 years, 10 months, 2 weeks & 2 days – Nicotine-free

3 months, 2 weeks & 3 days – Alcohol-free

3 weeks & 2 days – Chocolate-free

As I sit here tapping away at keys, I have reached the ripe old age of 110 days in this new and strange world where beer and wine no longer form the currency of my everyday reward and self-expression.

Or, said in another way, Fuck! I’m sober and fully present. How did that happen!!?

Despite the expletive, I am exceedingly happy with this state of affairs.

My sobriety, and this time around (for I have attempted this before), has become something I care enormously about.

This might sound crazy, but I will liken it to the birth of one of my beautiful children.

It arrived in my world, and I immediately knew that life would never be the same again (in a good way! LOL). It was small and beautiful and oh-so-delicate in its neonatal state.

It has all the needs associated with a new-born, and I have no difficulty stepping up to the plate and committing myself to its cause.

I will protect it from harm and nurture it to achieve its full potential.

I will clothe it, particularly in the early days, as I present it to my friends and family who might struggle to fathom the consequence of this new arrival.

I will educate and help it understand its extraordinary place in my world and heart.

I will big it up, encourage it, and felicitate it as it hurdles obstacles.

I will love it. I already do.