To say hi and see how everyone is doing. From all indications my son continues to successfully fight his addiction. He calls me several times a day, just to say hi, chat, run things by me...not once has he asked me to do him favors, financial or otherwise. Our conversations are 99% positive, upbeat, and pleasant. Sometimes his tendency to get annoyed with me comes through but not to the point where we come to verbal blows. He calls me so much on a typical day that it sometimes gets annoying, but in a good way. Frequent calls means he's not out there doing things I wouldn't approve of. It's when he's out pursuing unhealthy activities (drugs, promiscuous sex, etc) that I don't hear from him. I'll take the multiple calls a day over that any time! 
And as far as I can tell he's finally made a clean break from the toxic ex in Chicago. He's in what appears to be a very good relationship now, although it's the early stages. My husband and I recently celebrated our fifth anniversary and went to St. Augustine for the weekend. We got to spend time with my son and also met his current partner. He seems very nice and stable. He's an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant. I have a good feeling about this one.
He did have a little bump in the road with the death of his roommate, when her family evicted him from the house he was sharing with her. He was able to stay at a motel for a short time and is currently staying with a friend temporarily. He's been working at Steak & Shake but recently started a new job at a tiki bar kind of restaurant, which has more earning potential as far as tips. He also got some great news from the addiction center he's been enrolled in. Apparently they have a program where they will pay the first, last, and security for people in his situation looking for a place to live. After that, it's up to him to keep up his monthly rent payments, but covering the initial move-in costs is HUGE. (He will have to get his own utilities turned on, though)
He continues going to meetings when his work schedule allows and stays involved with his care team at the addiction center. He continues to stay medication compliant with his bipolar disorder, although I wish he would pursue therapy as well. And I continue to take everything one day at a time. I can't anticipate what will happen next week or next year, but just enjoy the successes of today.
And as far as I can tell he's finally made a clean break from the toxic ex in Chicago. He's in what appears to be a very good relationship now, although it's the early stages. My husband and I recently celebrated our fifth anniversary and went to St. Augustine for the weekend. We got to spend time with my son and also met his current partner. He seems very nice and stable. He's an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant. I have a good feeling about this one.He did have a little bump in the road with the death of his roommate, when her family evicted him from the house he was sharing with her. He was able to stay at a motel for a short time and is currently staying with a friend temporarily. He's been working at Steak & Shake but recently started a new job at a tiki bar kind of restaurant, which has more earning potential as far as tips. He also got some great news from the addiction center he's been enrolled in. Apparently they have a program where they will pay the first, last, and security for people in his situation looking for a place to live. After that, it's up to him to keep up his monthly rent payments, but covering the initial move-in costs is HUGE. (He will have to get his own utilities turned on, though)
He continues going to meetings when his work schedule allows and stays involved with his care team at the addiction center. He continues to stay medication compliant with his bipolar disorder, although I wish he would pursue therapy as well. And I continue to take everything one day at a time. I can't anticipate what will happen next week or next year, but just enjoy the successes of today.
