What is the most important thing to carry with you all the time?

Of course, my wallet and phone are dead giveaways 🤣. Sarcasm and humor aside, I carry this 2 year AA chip my dad gave me when he hit his 2 year sobriety mark back in 2018 or 2019, I can’t remember which one. What I could remember is that I met up with him for breakfast in Santa Cruz, and he handed me this letter he had written. Long story short I was a bit shook about what he had given me because for as long as I can remember we always had a rocky relationship from my childhood, up until as I became a grown man but that was due to the addiction. That’s the short version of it. Addiction can be hereditary. I’m just lucky I did not inherent that gene. My positive examples throughout my life were seeing what not to become and what not to do. If that makes any sense.

My father was always a good guy but his addiction had taken him over and I do believe for sure that it is a disease and like most diseases, there is treatment. You just have to be willing to do the work. Progress does not happen overnight. You have to put the work in no matter what it is! 2 years later he had given me his 4 year chip. I keep them both in my wallet to this day. Sentimental value. He just reached his 6 year sobriety mark this year back in july. I couldn’t be more prouder of him.

I’m just grateful that he is finally taking his sobriety seriously after all the hell he has endured, but that’s not my story to tell. I am also grateful that both of us are finally getting a long like friends. Like the old saying goes, better late than never. It only took 30 years 🤣, but kidding aside if my father can fight a lifelong drug addiction, seek help and willing to change his entire outlook on life and break his habits at 54 years old at the time when he seeked help, anyone can do it! Miracles do happen, and he is a walking and talking example of it. Remember, you must be consistent with your treatment to see progress. Nothing worth having comes easy. Struggles are always a test.

That’s one of many important things that I carry with me. That one just holds some real sentimental value for me.

Thank for reading.