Interpretation of Gambling

It was a very leisurely day yesterday and it appears my legs weren’t very used to the hilly terrain since I had a little soreness. I could feel my quadriceps tightening during the day and I took this to be a positive because I need to get my legs used to hilly and hard terrain for those last few miles of a marathon. I fade in those miles and hopefully yesterday’s unintended long run will help me for the next marathon. Lately I have been thinking about moving up my scheduled marathon to this month. I don’t know if I am exactly ready especially after yesterday’s run but there is a somewhat local marathon in three weeks and I am seriously considering running in that event. I will research more this week and the more I think about the run at the end of April I realize I would be missing something in the lives of my children and I don’t want to miss anything. I figure this out as the days go.

Yesterday was good quality time with my sisters and mothers. We played a game that in the strictest sense of Gamblers Anonymous could be considered a no-no. I am very serious about my recovery and in the program is a definition of gambling with encompasses many things. Most people think of gambling as having money or some other item of value change hands but in GA we take it a step further stating when the outcome is uncertain whether it is through skill or chance. This would prohibit any board games, card games, competitive events and anything else where the outcome is uncertain. I do play board games with my family and yesterday we played a card game where no money has ever changed hands and it was just a social gathering for all of us as family. I do know some members of GA who frown on any board games and card games because of the GA definition of gambling. I could dissect that definition to even include but that is not the point.

I won’t spin a wheel or enter a drawing or even say “I bet” even though nothing would be bet. I did however; play a game of pinochle. I do use my sponsor as a measuring stick and we have had many conversations about this subject and my sponsor sets a good example citing the fact that GA is an honesty program. I don’t believe I break my abstinence when I play board games with my children and friends nor do I think I broke my abstinence yesterday with our family card games. We don’t even play for bragging rights we play for fun and coupled with the fact I embrace the honesty of the Gamblers Anonymous Program makes it that much better.

We had a great time this weekend and it was so relaxing I did feel guilty knowing my wife was working so hard with the children. I do owe her and hopefully I can give her a weekend to herself in the upcoming months because she more than deserves that.

Last night I made lasagna for dinner and I must compliment my sister on her thoughtfulness. She seems to think of everything from the mints on our pillows to having me make lasagna that I would eat. She is an amazing person and has such an incredible family. Her husband is remarkable and in spite of the fact he was battling a terrible cold he was his usual unassuming self. Her children are growing up and are still so cute and smart. My niece is 4 and my nephew just turned 7, they are wonderful children and the entire weekend was so cozy.

This morning I had thought about running but I went well over my recommend mileage with the impromptu 19 mile run yesterday and my legs were a little tight this morning. I decided that I should just rest today and get back at it tomorrow. Everyone was awake early this morning and my sister’s house was remarkable for a school morning. My older sister was amazed how well everyone was functioning at this early hour and there was plenty of time to get our nephew off to school. This was decidedly different form our house but my sister’s children are younger and I am sure there are those days of rushing out the door. There wasn’t any rushing out the door this morning and all was very calm. My older sister gained an extra day when her flight back to New Jersey was celled due to the impending snowstorm on the east coast. She won’t be leaving until tomorrow and I loved her reaction as she said, “oh well”. She certainly understands the things she can’t control and the weather and the airlines are certainly two of those things!! Instead of us going to the airport it was just me and my younger sister. I do need to get home but it was great seeing her and we hugged our good-byes. If things go according to plan we will still everyone this June in New Jersey as there is a family event scheduled. It will be great to see everyone again but this time I will be with my entire family.