My name is Seeley. I have a gambling problem. I'd been in recovery for several years, but I recently had a relapse. It was difficult and embarrassing, having to start all over again to regain the self-respect I'd found when I was in recovery the first time.
The main reason I had a relapse, I think, was because of pride. I thought I could handle a little gambling here and there because I'd been strong for so long. I was wrong….really wrong. It's only through the grace of God that I've realized how wrong I was. I finally came to that realization because my wife had the guts to kick me out of the house.
I was in exile….a refugee. I had an apartment for a while, but no real place to call home. Everything I loved was gone because of my stupid pride, and to make it worse, I didn't really know if I'd ever be able to get it back again. My wife would've been within her rights to divorce me, take our children, and leave town….that's how badly I'd damaged her trust. Thank God she chose to love me and stand by me until I finally hit bottom and decided to get my life back together again.
I'm telling you this not because I want your praise or your pity. I just want you to know that everybody can make mistakes, but, with enough help, if a person wants to turn his life around, it can be done. I know...I did it. I don't deserve the love and support my wife, friends, and family have given me, but I thank God every day for it.
And so, Parker, that's it. That's the story. I'm sorry I've disappointed you, but you had to know the truth.
Love,
Dad