Laurie McGarvey

Every morning I woke up after not really sleeping anyway and heading for the vodka. I remember standing at my kitchen counter saying to myself how did this happen to me... I felt shame, guilt, and fear. A mother of 2 incredible children and a professional in a job people would die to have. Yet, I was broken, spiritually and financially bankrupt. A woman of promise who could not possibly keep a promise to anyone or anything. Alcohol was my master.

On my son's 5th birthday party, my dad who was not sober at the time, asked me what's wrong. I whispered across the birthday cake. "Dad, I am an alcoholic." That was the moment the first moment of truth spoken probably ever in my life. It was the end and I felt vacant on so many levels. I knew my life was over I said the words I held in for so long afraid of the shame, full of pride and anger. Little did I know...

Little did I know... those words, I am an alcoholic, would end up being the key words to the greatest freedom I have come to know. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night and reach for vodka, now I wake up early and reach for my running shoes. You see I surrendered to hell and God took me to heaven on earth. I run marathons now to support ending the stigma around addiction with The Herren Project. I work and speak to individuals and families so that no one will ever suffer alone. My greatest gift is being useful.. .the gift of being able to share the pain of another and sharing the message of the peace and purpose of recovery.