"Lellow" Park

When my daughter was two years old she would ask my wife and me if we could take her to the "lellow" park. "Lellow" was my daughter's pronunciation for yellow; it was so very cute. Today I took my daughter and my son to the "lellow" park. This was a favorite of my daughter when we lived in Las Vegas. The last time we were here my son wasn't born yet and my daughter had difficulties getting off and on the jungle gym. Well times have changed and not only did my daughter NOT have any problems with the jungle gym she proceeded to get across the monkey bars which were seven feet off of the ground!!

In spite of the weather the three of us had a great time at the park while mom and our friend went shopping. This was a great bonding moment for my wife and no she didn't shop for herself she helped our friend with his shopping. My friend also showed my wife how things have changed in the four years since we have been gone.

As I played with the children I couldn't help but reflect on the time I spent in Las Vegas. When we moved there in 1994 it was a new start for both my wife and me. We quit our jobs in New Jersey and decided to head out west for a better life. It didn't take long for both of us to land jobs and our dreams of starting a family and owning a home became a reality. However; in the background I had a deep dark secret which I neglected. I neglected it because I thought I could handle my gambling and being in place where gambling is so prevalent was my method of not gambling. Yes, I think I wrote that last statement correct because I worked in the gaming industry I did not want anyone to see my inside a casino. I was successful in staying away from the casinos but when I discovered the internet my world became consumed by sports betting for the third (hopefully final) time.

Las Vegas has some very found memories for me mostly because my children were born there. I remember both of their birth's as if it were yesterday. Now it is almost 8 years since my daughter was born and she is turning into a beautifully intelligent young lady and my son who will turn five in February is an amazing young man. How could I turn their worlds upside down is still beyond me. There was no intention to hurt them or my wife it was an all consuming addiction to sports betting which led me down the destructive path. I now know it doesn't have to be this way if I continue doing the things I have done in the last 10 months. Oh by the way today marks 10 months since my last wager of any kind. I will be successful in arresting this addiction if I continue to follow the Program. My Program consists of many things but the basis is from Gamblers Anonymous; don't gamble for anything and work the Steps. Yes, it has been 10 months that I have not gambled on anything and I continue to work all twelve of the steps.

Even though I had waxed a little nostalgic as we played at the "lellow" park it was a great day. We went back to our friends house, had some pizza and played some games with the children. We capped off the night while watching the first Harry Potter movie on DVD. It was my first time watching any of the Harry Potter movies and I was very impressed. I can't wait to watch the second one. Finally, my wife and I had some great conversations with our friend and like I said yesterday, I am so blessed to have these kinds of friends.