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# By the Grace of God
- URL: https://lisaromerodugal.com/blog/by-the-grace-of-god/
- Published: 2018-07-16T21:50:22.000Z
- Updated: 2018-07-16T21:50:22.000Z
- Author: Lisa Romero Dugal
- Tags: #wordpress

FIVE years ago, I woke up to a broken ugly mess. I was unsure about a lot of things, except for the fact that I knew this was not who I wanted to be and I knew exactly where to go. Riddled with guilt & shame, I walked back through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous.

I made no promises to my family of how long I was going to stay sober - a week, a month, I didn't know. By the grace of God, here I am 5 years later reaping the benefits of recovery.

Today my daughter had the honor of giving me my 5-year chip at my home group with my husband, son in law, brother in law and my sober tribe. My son was unable to be there since he lives out of state, but he was there in spirit and I know he's very proud of me. I am grateful for the unconditional love & support of everyone who has walked by my side.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f8/03/f803cc65-7efe-420c-aa7f-01e7478e45d0/content/images/2026/09/img_3140.jpg)

After all of the hard work I've put into my recovery and our family has put in together as a whole, I take my recovery much more seriously this time. After 17 years of sobriety, I accomplished a lot of "yets" during my 3-year relapse, and I know there are many more "yets" waiting for me. I hope I never experience the pain of another relapse and having to rebuild the trust with my loved ones again. The chaos & unmanageability can be paralyzing.

I've learned these past 5 years how to navigate through the joys & sorrows of life sober through the 12 steps & fellowship of AA. I embrace it, I feel it, I walk through it. Do I resist it at times? YES. Is it hard at times? YES. Is it worth it? YES, YES, YES.

Life will hand me many more challenging times that may seem overwhelming. The difference between then & now, is that I don't have to drink over it and I now have the tools to get me through it. There's so much peace & serenity in waking up with a clear head and being present for the ones that I love and living an honest life. I am truly blessed.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f8/03/f803cc65-7efe-420c-aa7f-01e7478e45d0/content/images/2026/09/img_3142.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f8/03/f803cc65-7efe-420c-aa7f-01e7478e45d0/content/images/2026/09/img_3141.jpg)

Imagine with all your mind \~ Believe with all your heart \~ Achieve with all your might

Life with Lisa 💕

## From the Life With Lisa years

2 comments, as they were left on lifewithlisa.org.

1. **sdugal6** July 17, 2018  
Lisa, your journey is an inspiration to many, including myself. No one is blessed with a straight, well paved road in life. You have tackled the hurdles in an open way of healing, providing inspiration and as Mother Olga of Sacred Heart would say “Hope”. Proud to be your best friend and even more to be to your husband.

  1. **lifewithlisa9**Lisa July 17, 2018  
  Couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for walking by my side and making life easier 💕