As I progress further on my journey with AA, I’m becoming a better version of myself—both as a dad and a husband. I find myself doing more, being more present, and feeling more wanted and needed by my family. It’s as if all the years of dead wood have been whittled away, leaving behind a new version of me. This process, however, has created many new edges in my life, edges that didn’t exist before. These changes haven’t just impacted me; they’ve also shaped the lives of those closest to me—my wife and children.
While we all feel fresh, happy, and renewed, it’s important to recognise that these new edges are still rough. Just like wood that’s been freshly carved, the process of change leaves jagged edges that need time to smooth out. These rough edges don’t just affect me; they also impact my family. Our relationships have evolved, but there are moments when things feel even rougher than they used to be. We’re all adjusting to the changes, and that adjustment process takes time.
New edges take time to rub down. Change, even when positive, comes with its own set of challenges. It requires patience, understanding, and the willingness to work through the rough patches. As my family and I continue on this journey, we’re learning that smoothing out these new edges is a gradual process, one that requires effort and care. But with time, those rough edges will soften, and we’ll find even greater strength and connection in our relationships.
New Edges
Freshly carved, a new me emerges,
Whittled down, the dead wood purges.
A better dad, a husband true,
More present, wanted, needed too.
But with this change, new edges rise,
Jagged and rough, a painful prize.
Our family’s lives, they’ve also shaped,
A fresh start, yet hearts are scraped.
These edges, raw, they need to mend,
With time and care, they’ll slowly blend.
A gradual process, a journey long,
But in the end, we’ll be forever strong.
