Thanks for asking P. Lenora. For the past four months my life has settled down quite a bit. My father passed away two weeks before Christmas so it's been a sad time. My son on the other hand is doing great. I am enjoying his visits very much. My other kids are managing to bond with him as he is very different these days. He lives about three hours away and I have seen him three times in four months but he calls me all the time. Christmas went well, not one problem.

He is a different person really, or maybe he is the person he always was, the drugs just took over. The big reason things are working out for him this time is that he is staying away from here. He went to treatment many times but it never worked as he kept coming back home. Then it would not be long until his old aquaintences would be calling and before long he was back on the drugs. I think he has also matured quite a bit. He just turned 23 recently.

He has been clean for four months and is doing well. He can fall off the wagon, and I am very aware of that. For now he is living in a supportive home for recovering addicts, goes to AA meetings daily and works full time. He also has a sponsor. His boss is pleased with him and my son loves being told that he is doing a good job. He called me all excited the other night and said his boss came over to see him to tell him what a great job he is doing. He was on cloud nine.

So, for now I am a very happy mother. I'm enjoying getting to know my son again. He has a great sense of humor that I have not seen in years.

My other two kids are doing great. My youngest son for good reason is taking it slow getting to know my eldest again. They did bond quite a bit over Christmas which is nice for both of them. I told my youngest to take his time. He has been burned too many times so I want him to feel comfortable.

Although I have been burned too, I think my son is on the road to recovery. He wants more out of life and is getting a taste of making money and he likes that. I'm not thinking ahead really, just enjoying the fact that for now, he is doing great.
Kate