Poets logo

Happy, Joyous And Free

Addiction recovery

By Denise E LindquistPublished 10 months ago 2 min read
Happy, Joyous And Free
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

My life started with my recovery in nineteen seventy eight

At twenty-four years old, I was feeling great

That was when I quit smoking cigarettes, and that was grand

I also stopped smoking marijuana and spinning around my husband

I learned that the best thing I could do is love and pray for addicts

It took me two more years to stop drinking, to stop the conflicts.

I was twenty-six years old, and my baby was two.

~~

Although at one month, he was turning blue

as he was allergic to smoke, and I hadn't given it up yet

He is 46 now and is doing well, and it was important to get

into recovery for my young family and me.

My son now has a child of his own. She is swell and lovely.

My life is the best it's ever been. And I am joyous and free to be happy.

~~

When alcohol and drugs are getting in the way of the good life,

I would do it all over again, it's so much better to have a life without strife

Today, I'm married to a husband in recovery, too. We live life with humor

and recovery support. We are both considered a baby boomer,

and without recovery, we probably wouldn't be here to enjoy our grands,

and if we live long enough, we will get to see our great greatgrands.

~~

Recovery has allowed me to live and to get a good education,

to be a good role model for my children, to take a regular vacation

and to experience life, which wasn't possible when using drugs and alcohol.

It is still possible for life to bring me trouble and to cause a fall

but most of the time, in recovery, I am having a ball.

~~

My husband says regularly that he is living his dream.

Can others say that and mean it? A few may think it is their Airstream

that is their dream. But it seems that is not what he means

as he is talking about his changed attitudes, it seems.

He is happy with his toys, but more importantly, no mess

with any of the old troubles but rather peace and happiness.

Free VerseStream of Consciousness

About the Creator

Denise E Lindquist

I am married with 7 children, 28 grands, and 13 great-grandchildren. I am a culture consultant part-time. I write A Poem a Day in February for 8 years now. I wrote 4 - 50,000 word stories in NaNoWriMo. I write on Vocal/Medium daily.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments (4)

Sign in to comment
  • Calvin London10 months ago

    Very brave confession, but you did it. Congratulations on each of your steps, Denise, and long may your happiness continue.

  • So happy that everything turned out for the better. Loved your poem!

  • Mother Combs10 months ago

    🩷

  • Mark Graham10 months ago

    You do have a way with words and expressing what your life and family mean to you. Good job.

Find us on social media

Miscellaneous links

  • Explore
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Support

© 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.