Naked Crabs

I have a copy of a story my sponsor gave me years and years ago. It's called Naked Crabs. Basically, it's the story of how hermit crabs have to move from one shell to another when the first shell becomes too small. There's a period of time between one shell and the next when the crab is vulnerable...naked. I love the story, though, because it describes my life to a tee. I am a recovering alcoholic and my shell is constantly getting too tight. Like the crab, the longer the shell has been growing around me, the harder it is to break open. The more painful the breaking becomes. To avoid the pain, I prefer sometimes to stay in the shell that is too tight and no longer fits very well, rather than risk being vulnerable. The thing is, like the hermit crab, if my shell becomes too thick, too protective, too rough to crack open and start again, I can't grow anymore and I die.

I am vulnerable and naked and am scurrying to my next shell. Treat me gently.