Need to make a big decision this week.
Our family has gone camping every year for ages. It's a big gathering of my wife's family. We used to go to Canada but because of Covid, we have to camp in the States. I went 2 years ago and it was the first one I attended sober. I've told everyone I hate camping and drinking was the only thing that made it tolerable. So now that I don't drink, I REALLY hate it. I had a miserable time the last time I went. It's not that her family drinks a lot, but just about everything involves drinking. Playing bocci, dinners, sitting around the campfire.
So I told her I'm probably not going this year. My wife and kids are okay with it. It's close enough so that I can go for the day if I want. But I think I'll skip the whole thing. It's Thursday through Sunday. It'll actually be sort of nice to be home alone. My wife has been working from home so there's a whole lot of togetherness. In years past, it would be a great excuse to do a whole lot of drinking--but not this year. I think i can make it through sober, just fine.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Have some alone time for painting.
I've gotten together several times with the girls I went to summer camp with - we've known each other since we were kids and have been through a lot together. The first time I went after I got sober, I had about 2 1/2 years and my friend (also in the program) asked me what I'd do if there was alcohol. And I told her there was never alcohol at camp - but then I realize now that we're not 12 anymore.
This first time was a big reunion and I stayed with those who had been my counselors when I was a camper - and I'd driven by myself for the first time and I'd gotten terribly lost, so I was a wreck by the time I got there. And as soon as I walked in, they offered me a glass of wine. Needless to say, I passed on the wine, but I realized I'd have to be careful.
But my friends from childhood now know my story, one of them had a husband in AA so she understands. There are times we've gone to dinner and they'll ask me if I mind if one or more of them have a glass of wine with dinner. They can have just one. These days, I usually stay with the one friend who now lives there in Vermont and she doesn't drink.
And they have been incredibly supportive, as friends can be. I've showed them my latest coin and they're proud of me, though they didn't know me when I drank. We missed last summer because of the pandemic, not sure if we'll meet this fall either. One other thing I'm grateful for is that we've all grown up to be liberal Democrats, though we mostly come from different states now - so we're kindred spirits on that, as well. 