There was evidence of a shift of teutonic plates in my family this week. (Edit: I cannot imagine why I would have used an earthquake reference this morning - I had no idea about the situation in Chile.) My twin daughters will be 31 years old on Monday. One of them is an alcoholic. The other one isn't. Can you imagine what that is like for them? For their family? Yes, you can. I know you can. Anyway... several years ago one of the daughters (guess which one) showed up incredibly high and twitchy and crazy for the annual birthday celebration. The other one got so angry and fed up, that after years of just accepting and loving her sister no matter how crazy it got - and it got plenty crazy - she just got angry and said she wasn't going to have another birthday ruined by her sister. And she stopped speaking to her. (And when I wonder how God feels when I am busy resenting someone else, I just have to think of how much it hurt me to have this going on in my family, and then I might have an inkling of what an offense it is to be hatin'.)
Last year she resolved to be out of town for her birthday. Although her sister was newly sober at the time, no one trusted her to stay that way (well, except for me).
This year my sober alcoholic daughter is working all weekend. When I tried to get us all together to go to the Ethiopian Restaurant (which is one of our birthday traditions) she said she couldn't go. I figured that her sister and brother wouldn't mind if she wasn't there.
What a wonderful thing it was to hear them both express their disappointment. To hear the sister who wouldn't speak to the other say "It just won't be fun without my sister there." Oh my goodness. Her brother, my son, said "well, let's just drive up to her work and surprise her there."
I called her and told her how disappointed they were... she cried, I cried... and she said she would find a way to be there. She was able to find someone to work part of her shift and we will all be able to go out to the Ethiopian Restaurant today to celebrate their birthday.
This is written so poorly - but I am in a hurry to get out of here and I don't have time to edit appropriately. So, thank you for reading it - it is probably confusing with the "hers" and "shes" and sisters and brother. But it is a wonderful day in the life of a sober mom of a sober daughter. And two other wonderful children too.
10 comments:
I understood it easily. Your relief and gratitude are understood too. I love it when God heals a mother's heart, just a bit, little by little, the miracles happen.
Namaste (happy for you!)
Oh, that made me teary.
They are so blessed to have you for a mother.
Oh you know I loved reading that sista.
AND..of course ones' shoes and bra should match, who could possible think otherwise?
Confusing? Ha--remember your audience is a bunch of alcoholics who know and easily translate "confusing". No need to edit this one...it is perfect....it said it all and congrats for you, your running again, and your lovely family. The journey may not be kind, but it always worthwhile. Love Ya. J.
PS you always make me cry when you write these
your family is being "patched" and made whole again... I LOVE reading these stories... they further strengthen my faith in God and AA, that the awfaul damage we do to one another can be repaired in time.
what an AWESOME share, thanks MC!
That all sounds good. And Ethiopian food is awesome. Have a good run in those new shoes and a good time with your children.
I really like your comparison of how hurtful it is for us to resent one of God's children. Well put.
Cannot wait to see the new shoes. Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!!!
I understood it just fine. It's nice that I had the opportunity to meet that sober alcoholic daughter. Give her a big hug from me.
I understood it well. And then I understood it even more. I'm proud of you all.
Enjoy some of the spongy bread and tasty fun food for me as well. I am just so happy for you all.
Blessings and aloha...
I love it when I get new running shoes, but I hate to throw out any of my old shoes, they are so great for walking around.
Secretia
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