In the middle of last year, the penny finally dropped: there was a correlation between my worsening

In the middle of last year, the penny finally dropped: there was a correlation between my worsening ulcerative colitis symptoms and my nightly wine habit. For the sake of my health, I decided quietly to do Dry July. But tragedy changed my mind and I decided to make it official. At the celebration service of a beautiful young woman cut down by cancer, her dad spoke of how she championed cancer support services, so I signed up to raise money. Charlotte’s parents gave out white pebbles with a blue heart at her celebration service; to remember her by, but also to keep close as we pursued dreams or goals, if it felt right. My Charlotte Stone became my alcohol-free talisman. I was dry 42 days until I reached my fund-raising goal. Since then, I’ve waxed and waned, but here I am again, having completed the @oneyearnobeer 28 Day Alcohol-free Challenge, and about to begin the next 32 days, before the 30 after that.

I am not saying I will never raise a glass of champagne in a toast again, but it will be a conscious, controlled decision, not a reflex. Quite simply, it’s a matter of life or death.