I found out first thing yesterday morning that a dear friend of mine had drowned in the Sandy River the day before. He was a person I had known and respected for about 6 years now, and a friend who had proven to me time and time again that I could count on him and trust his open heart and amazing intuition.
The world is truly a less magical place without this person in it and when I found out about his death, I sobbed and sobbed. After catching my breath and wiping my puffy eyes I had a realization that the old me would have drank the day away.
Instead I didn't.
And I felt the loss. I let it sit down and have tea with me. I embraced it. I felt proud of myself for having known that friend and had so many opportunities to get to know him, to build and cherish a wonderful friendship.
I didn't drink away my sorrow.
I didn't drink at all.
. I am so glad that you didn’t drink through it because it wouldn’t have changed anything. In fact just think how clear headed you were for that tragedy. I know it’s hard. I lost a very close friend to alcoholism and he is constantly on my mind. When I think of drinking again I honestly look at his last couple of pictures and you could see how yellow he was from things shutting down. I don’t want that for me or my family. I just fight and reach out every day to my fellowship of recovery. Stay strong. One day at a time 
