"I jumped up and hugged the hell out my mother and I turned around to do the same to my dad but he had had too much to drink, again, and had passed out in his chair. It almost didn’t matter that he was drunk again. It almost didn’t matter that at the time we lived in a trailer connected to a concrete block structure that served as a living room, bedroom and bath. It almost didn’t matter that daddy’s drunkenness that night would continue for a couple of weeks. It almost didn’t matter if we were, as my grandmother used to say, “poor as a church mouse”. I was the proud owner of a Barbie doll and her outfit." ~ Pissed Off Patricia of Morning Martini Blog
For many people the holidays are a time to come face to face with the disease of addiction.
Whether it's the ghost of childhood past, a deadbeat daddy in the present, or a relative that will no doubt be loaded at a future family gathering, addiction never takes a holiday. Please be reminded if the alcoholic in your life isn't open to getting help, that should not stop you from seeking recovery from the effects of living with their disease. Please contact Al-Anon and Alateen with help in lifting the deep sadness this disease has brought into your life or the deeply rooted pain you thought you walked away from as a kid. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain considering it is absolutely free.
Holiday Guidelines
There are, however, a few guidelines than can help us all make the most of this season:
*This year's holidays won't be like it was last years... or like those from our childhood. Each day is different, new and fresh and we can bring whatever attitude we choose to it, even if it's a traditional family gathering.
*You are not the same as you were last year or when you were 5 years old. And, truth be told, your family isn't the same either.
*You can't buy love, nor can you measure it by the gifts you receive, or don't receive. It's so tempting to over-spend this time of year, but if you avoid it, you'll save yourself real agony in the New Year.
*You don't have to do it 'their' way, or the way it's always done. One of the joys of recovery is we have been returned to choice and we can make the choices that serve us best.
*You can, if you choose, enjoy the holidays, no matter how you celebrate them or with whom. It truly is up to you to decide what to do, how to give and how to receive.
| Posted by: Pax Romano | December 23, 2006 09:43 PM |
Liz, As much as I love my family (and I do), I think that it would be wonderful to have a Blogger Xmas Eve with all of my fave blog folk like you, Miss Jimmi, POP, Frank, JustRose, Miss Magnolia, etc...I would love to host this. Just one year with no expectations but a lot of laughter and drinking! |
| Posted by: Liz | December 23, 2006 10:28 PM |
I would TOTALLY love something like that and I can promise you Jimmi and I would be there because I would drive him! :) Oh let's do it! |