Last night a former boozer wrote that “through the miracle of sobriety, I found my way back to the real world.” Good for him. Excellent. I know how he feels. However…

HE reply: “Speaking as someone eight and a half years sober, I can’t quite agree with calling it a ‘miracle.’ Because you did it one day at a time, and I’m 100% certain that the last time you looked in the mirror you didn’t say ‘man, you are one effing miracle of a human being!’ Nor is sobriety itself a miracle. It’s cleansing and liberating and wonderful in a kind of radiant rainbow way, but not quite (i.e., slightly shy of) miraculous. In the same way that anything involving will and focus and choosing life, good health and possibility over death, despair and the cocoon of ruin…it’s the only way to go, but I’ve been the recipient of serious, clear-light miracles in my life, and sobriety ain’t the same thing. It’s something to be proud about and grateful for but…well, I’ve said it.