New name

For those of you only a part of my world here I thought I’d take this day off to reintroduce myself to you. My name is Zephaniah David Patrick B. My pronouns are he/him.

None of this was a quick decision. None of it was spur of the moment. Getting to know some folks in the “family” had me deciding it was time and I was comfortable enough with myself and my surrounding community to go there.

Now when I sit in meetings my name is Zephaniah. And I’m absolutely still an alcoholic. I still have a sponsor. I still have a job in my home group.

I’m making closer friends as a man than I did as a woman. I can’t say why that is. I’m not running my life different than I had been other than my pronouns being he and him now. But I’m not going to question the why too firmly.

I’m just practicing gratitude. If I don’t practice gratitude – for my family’s reactions, my friends’ reactions, my job and its reaction – then I will be a completely different person. And not one I’m particularly proud of.

Thanks for sticking with me as I’m moving forward. I just want to be happy. And today? Today I’m not miserable.