Not only do we share long-term recovery, but now you've expressed so well my political feelings about what's going on in the world. And I extend that out to other parts of the world likewise impacted. It makes me feel less hopeless when writers come out and say what's going on.
I'm glad Kirie. Congratulations to us both on our sobriety! I'm particularly grateful for it right now, with all the craziness going on. I do struggle with whether to write about this stuff, but whenever I do, people say it helps them....it's a balance, I think. Well I hope you are having a wonderful holiday!
Your words are so well said, Susie! I commend you for your courage in saying what so many of us are feeling. Thank you so much - it gives me comfort! Merry Christmas and safe travels! 💖
As good and honest of a 2025 roundup that I've read thus far :)
Thank you and enjoy that beautiful fire. I imagine I won't draw any sympathy for this, but one thing I really miss about living in Hawaii is the Fall/Winter (but not a lot of it) seasons.
Growing up in the 70's in Missouri we had a blast burning household rubbish in the fireplace, watching the wax milk cartons change colors, lol.
Have a peaceful holiday and we will demand a better 2026! Aloha. xo
Deborah, I bet Christmas in Hawaii is so lovely! Winter is fun here for about 2 seconds...and then! I do like the peacefulness but not the cold and damp so much!
Funny about your childhood fireplace shenanigans! Take care and yes, oy, I hope it's a better 2026!
I'm 62, my husband just turned 70 last week. I can relate to what you're feeling. Time seems to be speeding up. I've been feeling a desperate panic to start getting ready of "stuff" in my house so our kids don't have to deal with it. Two years ago my husband was in rehab the whole month of December. Our son had Covid. I spent Xmas Eve at our single daughter's in the city and the next morning got up, dropped a box off at the lobby for my sick son, drove to the rehab facility for Christmas lunch with my husband and left when visiting hours were over at 3pm. Came home and had what I expected to be a depressing Christmas evening alone. But to my surprise, it was beautiful. For dinner I had a plate of Christmas cookies and two oranges. I watched what I wanted on tv. Stayed up late. The past two years have been difficult- relapses and separations - but we're still together. Finding a path to stay together with the help of therapists, AA, and AlAnon. I thank my Higher Power for every day he chooses not to drink. We only get one life and there's no guarantee we get to finish even this day on our feet. The grief I feel for our country is intense and knowing that those in power will work so hard to protect evil over the lives of innocent children makes me want to cry and rage at the same time. Today is the Solstice and I look forward to it more than Christmas! It does bring me such joy that the dark time is going to start ceding to the Light! I pray for the same in our country!
Hi there - and sending you hugs and light on this Solstice Day! That is a lot to have on your shoulders. I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you (and I'm so glad you've got AlAnon ) and your husband and hoping this is a different kind of holiday for you this year. Though that evening alone did sound kind of dreamy! Anyway, it's all so very hard. Just one minute at a time, I say. And take good care of yourself!
Thank you so much for having the courage to put into uncompromising words all the horror we are witnessing. Each day, another display of evil we never thought possible. While tempting to just curl up in a cozy chair in front of the fire and focus on joy and peace as we should be doing this time of year, we must also find the hope to fight the good fight. Fortunately that same chair and fire provide a place and time for feeding the flames of hope and contemplating our next moves. 💪❤️
You're so right, Diane. It's good to have time to just rest and kind of let everything settle. There is so much coming at us all the time. But after awhile you just want to scream, 'Enough!' Very frustrating. But for now - happy holidays to you!!
It really is David - I've always looked at it as a miracle. In the early days, I used to stop by St. Lukes and sit in a pew just for the quiet. And I remember you were kind to me in the early days!
A practical suggestion: get a cast iron stove that will fit into your fireplace, with the stovepipe going up the chimney. Ours has a glass front, so you can see the fire. A stove is MUCH more efficient at providing heat; in a fireplace many, many BTUs go up the chimney rather than providing heat for your home. You get a small whiff of smoke when you open the door to add a log, but you don't get a roomful of choking smoke when the wind shifts, or when you first start a fire and the chimney hasn't warmed enough to draw the smoke upward. Many good brands; ours is a Jotul, made in Scandinavia.
Hi Zora - we have considered a wood stove. My husband had one in another house and loved it. Unfortunately, our living room area is so tiny that it would be cramped. But we may still consider it. I'll look at the Jotul. For right now - infrequent fires. They are a treat when we have them but it is certainly not an every day thing!
Our stove sits inside our fireplace, not in front of it, so it takes up no extra space. It's not a big stove at all, but burns wood very efficiently. On super cold nights we put a small fan next to the stove, better to circulate the heat.
Not only do we share long-term recovery, but now you've expressed so well my political feelings about what's going on in the world. And I extend that out to other parts of the world likewise impacted. It makes me feel less hopeless when writers come out and say what's going on.
I'm glad Kirie. Congratulations to us both on our sobriety! I'm particularly grateful for it right now, with all the craziness going on. I do struggle with whether to write about this stuff, but whenever I do, people say it helps them....it's a balance, I think. Well I hope you are having a wonderful holiday!
Your words are so well said, Susie! I commend you for your courage in saying what so many of us are feeling. Thank you so much - it gives me comfort! Merry Christmas and safe travels! 💖
Thank you Ethel and I'm so glad. Hope you had a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
As good and honest of a 2025 roundup that I've read thus far :)
Thank you and enjoy that beautiful fire. I imagine I won't draw any sympathy for this, but one thing I really miss about living in Hawaii is the Fall/Winter (but not a lot of it) seasons.
Growing up in the 70's in Missouri we had a blast burning household rubbish in the fireplace, watching the wax milk cartons change colors, lol.
Have a peaceful holiday and we will demand a better 2026! Aloha. xo
Deborah, I bet Christmas in Hawaii is so lovely! Winter is fun here for about 2 seconds...and then! I do like the peacefulness but not the cold and damp so much!
Funny about your childhood fireplace shenanigans! Take care and yes, oy, I hope it's a better 2026!
Another beautiful post, Susie. You definitely have a way with words. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
Bobbi - thank you. And happy holidays to you guys!!
“Tinnitus of the soul” — brilliant Susie. Beautiful Thank you🤍
Happy Solstice✨
Happy Solstice to you Lorene (without the tinnitus I hope!)!
I'm 62, my husband just turned 70 last week. I can relate to what you're feeling. Time seems to be speeding up. I've been feeling a desperate panic to start getting ready of "stuff" in my house so our kids don't have to deal with it. Two years ago my husband was in rehab the whole month of December. Our son had Covid. I spent Xmas Eve at our single daughter's in the city and the next morning got up, dropped a box off at the lobby for my sick son, drove to the rehab facility for Christmas lunch with my husband and left when visiting hours were over at 3pm. Came home and had what I expected to be a depressing Christmas evening alone. But to my surprise, it was beautiful. For dinner I had a plate of Christmas cookies and two oranges. I watched what I wanted on tv. Stayed up late. The past two years have been difficult- relapses and separations - but we're still together. Finding a path to stay together with the help of therapists, AA, and AlAnon. I thank my Higher Power for every day he chooses not to drink. We only get one life and there's no guarantee we get to finish even this day on our feet. The grief I feel for our country is intense and knowing that those in power will work so hard to protect evil over the lives of innocent children makes me want to cry and rage at the same time. Today is the Solstice and I look forward to it more than Christmas! It does bring me such joy that the dark time is going to start ceding to the Light! I pray for the same in our country!
Hi there - and sending you hugs and light on this Solstice Day! That is a lot to have on your shoulders. I just want you to know that I'm thinking of you (and I'm so glad you've got AlAnon ) and your husband and hoping this is a different kind of holiday for you this year. Though that evening alone did sound kind of dreamy! Anyway, it's all so very hard. Just one minute at a time, I say. And take good care of yourself!
Thank you so much for having the courage to put into uncompromising words all the horror we are witnessing. Each day, another display of evil we never thought possible. While tempting to just curl up in a cozy chair in front of the fire and focus on joy and peace as we should be doing this time of year, we must also find the hope to fight the good fight. Fortunately that same chair and fire provide a place and time for feeding the flames of hope and contemplating our next moves. 💪❤️
You're so right, Diane. It's good to have time to just rest and kind of let everything settle. There is so much coming at us all the time. But after awhile you just want to scream, 'Enough!' Very frustrating. But for now - happy holidays to you!!
Congrats on 19 years this 12/25. That's a Christmas Miracle for sure.
It really is David - I've always looked at it as a miracle. In the early days, I used to stop by St. Lukes and sit in a pew just for the quiet. And I remember you were kind to me in the early days!
“The gutter rat”; perfect interpretation. We all need to start referencing him as this. Let it spread; I’ll do my best to share it far and wide.
Thank you Sue!
Bravo!
❤️
A practical suggestion: get a cast iron stove that will fit into your fireplace, with the stovepipe going up the chimney. Ours has a glass front, so you can see the fire. A stove is MUCH more efficient at providing heat; in a fireplace many, many BTUs go up the chimney rather than providing heat for your home. You get a small whiff of smoke when you open the door to add a log, but you don't get a roomful of choking smoke when the wind shifts, or when you first start a fire and the chimney hasn't warmed enough to draw the smoke upward. Many good brands; ours is a Jotul, made in Scandinavia.
Hi Zora - we have considered a wood stove. My husband had one in another house and loved it. Unfortunately, our living room area is so tiny that it would be cramped. But we may still consider it. I'll look at the Jotul. For right now - infrequent fires. They are a treat when we have them but it is certainly not an every day thing!
Our stove sits inside our fireplace, not in front of it, so it takes up no extra space. It's not a big stove at all, but burns wood very efficiently. On super cold nights we put a small fan next to the stove, better to circulate the heat.
Oh that sounds perfect - will check it out - thank you Zora!
I really appreciate this post. 🌻
Thank you Marge. I'm glad.
Does the photo show your fireplace? Because I think the fireplace it shows is lovely!
That is our fireplace - but I cropped it to give it its best chance - ha! the whole thing is not great!!
I appreciate you Susie, and all the on-point if painful metaphors in your writing. Keep the fire lit❤️
Thank you Kate. Hope you are cozy in your new home!
“An unrelenting scratchy noise, like tinnitus of the soul.” Dang — that’ll preach.
You got it, Susie!!