Addiction is the realest of the real. There is no scale for it, no comparison to it, not a single experience is the same. It drives me BANANAS the way we treat people who need REAL help. Not your shaming comments, looks or investigative reports. Above all - addiction is PERSONAL.
I could go on for days on this but I have not the time or patience - and can't find my soapbox at the moment anyway. Susie, thank you for this and for always being so open about your own experiences. I truly hope it helps someone out there. You AND Danny Trejo beat the crap out of that monster every day and I am a big fan of you both.
New subscriber here and thanks for this. I'm about to go eulogize my mother, who very much died in the "don't give a shit" stage of alcoholism (well Covid got her 5 minutes before the booze did, but ...). We were good at the end, but this reminder that even if she didn't look like she ever tried to fight it, or heard us when we asked her to please, please stop ... somewhere inside, she knew. Her best self was really great, but she took some hard blows from the outside, then did some big damage from her own inside -- I miss her terribly, but I don't miss all that.
(Weirdly, menopause seems to have taken care of my own drinking. I just can't anymore. It's very strange, but not unwelcome.)
Keep up the great work -- looking forward to the cooking content too (I garden and cook in Montana).
Charlotte, welcome! So glad you're on board - and so interesting to hear your mother's struggle and your own frustrations in trying to help her. It's so hard! Good luck with the eulogy -- that won't be easy, I know. I have friends who ran a gardening magazine called Zone 4 out of Bozeman, and I visited there many years ago - what a beautiful place to live and garden. Thank you!
It was hardly a secret, and at this point, I don't think there's anyone in our ring of Irish Catholic Chicago people who hasn't been touched by addiction in some way. But one reason I appreciate all of you who are so open, is the way it gives those of us who just can't understand, a glimpse inside. It's such important work. Looking forward to more. (And yes, it's beautiful here -- I'm just east of Bozeman -- but we do really really REALLY wish it would stop snowing now!)
Thank you Susie for weaving your own sobriety into this piece so honestly as always. Your perspective is so much appreciated and your vulnerability around the AA world and all that comes with sober life. I had no idea about Danny Trejo and that book looks amazing! I am so happy you are feeling connected and healthy! And thank you for that delicious recipe- yum! x
Hi Polly! Thank you as always for your kind words. That Danny Trejo is something else! What a journey there - I love stories like his. Looking forward to seeing you soon! xo
Susie, I admire so much the way you write about alcoholism openly and straightforwardly. I read that NYT piece and felt terrible for everyone involved and affected. Thanks for your perspective. And for the delicious recipe. xo
Thank you Domenica. I know what you mean - it is terribly sad for everyone involved and especially that restaurant staff. It is a hard enough job! But trying to have compassion and understanding for her. It is frustrating to be on the other side of this sometimes, knowing how good it is but knowing a person can't know that until they experience it!
Anne, thank you for restacking - I can’t see the comments for some reason or I would respond!
Wonderful piece--
Addiction is the realest of the real. There is no scale for it, no comparison to it, not a single experience is the same. It drives me BANANAS the way we treat people who need REAL help. Not your shaming comments, looks or investigative reports. Above all - addiction is PERSONAL.
I could go on for days on this but I have not the time or patience - and can't find my soapbox at the moment anyway. Susie, thank you for this and for always being so open about your own experiences. I truly hope it helps someone out there. You AND Danny Trejo beat the crap out of that monster every day and I am a big fan of you both.
Thx or this!
Hi Kharma! I hear you, believe me. It IS very personal and very real! and very powerful and very frustrating and very everything as you say.
I admire Trejo for really turning back around to extend his hand to the next guy behind him. Hero!
Hoping I'm going to see your lovely face very soon my friend xoxo
New subscriber here and thanks for this. I'm about to go eulogize my mother, who very much died in the "don't give a shit" stage of alcoholism (well Covid got her 5 minutes before the booze did, but ...). We were good at the end, but this reminder that even if she didn't look like she ever tried to fight it, or heard us when we asked her to please, please stop ... somewhere inside, she knew. Her best self was really great, but she took some hard blows from the outside, then did some big damage from her own inside -- I miss her terribly, but I don't miss all that.
(Weirdly, menopause seems to have taken care of my own drinking. I just can't anymore. It's very strange, but not unwelcome.)
Keep up the great work -- looking forward to the cooking content too (I garden and cook in Montana).
Charlotte, welcome! So glad you're on board - and so interesting to hear your mother's struggle and your own frustrations in trying to help her. It's so hard! Good luck with the eulogy -- that won't be easy, I know. I have friends who ran a gardening magazine called Zone 4 out of Bozeman, and I visited there many years ago - what a beautiful place to live and garden. Thank you!
It was hardly a secret, and at this point, I don't think there's anyone in our ring of Irish Catholic Chicago people who hasn't been touched by addiction in some way. But one reason I appreciate all of you who are so open, is the way it gives those of us who just can't understand, a glimpse inside. It's such important work. Looking forward to more. (And yes, it's beautiful here -- I'm just east of Bozeman -- but we do really really REALLY wish it would stop snowing now!)
Hope you get some sunshine soon Charlotte! Will keep trying to shed that insight!
Thank you Susie for weaving your own sobriety into this piece so honestly as always. Your perspective is so much appreciated and your vulnerability around the AA world and all that comes with sober life. I had no idea about Danny Trejo and that book looks amazing! I am so happy you are feeling connected and healthy! And thank you for that delicious recipe- yum! x
Hi Polly! Thank you as always for your kind words. That Danny Trejo is something else! What a journey there - I love stories like his. Looking forward to seeing you soon! xo
Susie, I admire so much the way you write about alcoholism openly and straightforwardly. I read that NYT piece and felt terrible for everyone involved and affected. Thanks for your perspective. And for the delicious recipe. xo
Thank you Domenica. I know what you mean - it is terribly sad for everyone involved and especially that restaurant staff. It is a hard enough job! But trying to have compassion and understanding for her. It is frustrating to be on the other side of this sometimes, knowing how good it is but knowing a person can't know that until they experience it!
Brava, excellent, thankyou.
Roberta, kid of an alc
You know!