Progress

Today I picked her up from rehab (two-plus-hour drive each way), brought her home to see the kids (as well as the dog, two of her sisters and a nephew), and then brought her to the airport - bound for three-months of extended treatment at a "boot camp" residential rehabilitation facility far away.

She was very communicative with me today, and more genuine than she has been in a long time. At one point, in the middle of the day, while she was packing, she called for me to come spend some time with her. She wanted to tell me that she is very scared about spending three months in a tough program. She cried. Then she recovered. This was a big breakthrough. In the past, when she was flooded by feelings like this, she would isolate, and often drink - and then run away. She didn't. She shared her fears, and then she confronted them. She never asked to back out. She takes her predicament very seriously, she knows that she has caused people pain, she takes responsibility for it, and she very much wants to get better.

Hours later ... I just got a call from the rehab facility, and they told me she arrived safe. More importantly, they told me she blew a 0.00% on the breathalyzer (after having easy access to alcohol in the airports and on the plane).

All of the above is a big improvement from where she was when she returned from rehab last summer. She is growing, and that is so good.

Last night, I was anxious about her recovery. I could not envision her being sober. Tonight, I have hope and faith - and I miss her dearly.