I’ve often wondered if alcoholism was hereditary. My mom is a recovering alcoholic.
I began drinking at age 15. Mom would buy booze for me and my friends to have parties at our house while my dad was at work. I wasn't drinking every day -- just at parties. I graduated high school, and went to work at a bank. I was responsible when it came to work, and got promoted to loan officer within five years.
I mixed it up on the weekends with the wrong crowd. There were many times I would wake-up from being out partying the night before and look out the window to see if my car was there. I often didn't remember what had happened the night before. I awoke one morning to realize I was miserable and didn't like my job, the stress from my mom's drinking, and from feeling ill A LOT. I took charge!
My dad has always been my hero. He loved his job as a firefighter. So, I enrolled in EMT school, loved it, got a job on an ambulance and continued schooling to become a paramedic. I then put myself through a fire academy. I started that journey at age 25 and became a paramedic at age 27 and a firefighter at age 30. I worked as a paramedic for 10 years and firefighter for 5 years.
I retired because I met the man of my dreams and now am happily married with 3 children. I love being a wife and stay-at-home mom; no job is more rewarding. I believe one thing that helped me too, was your book "10 Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives." I think I did almost all of them and it took awhile for me to admit you were right. Hoping I can keep my kids from making the mistakes I did.
Thank you for all you do.
Tammy
