tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post8913066202541304040..comments2024-01-21T20:42:29.223-06:00Comments on The Extraordinary Ordinary: MoreHeather of the EOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14607422301391841377noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-29293042073760300502010-07-03T19:08:54.125-05:002010-07-03T19:08:54.125-05:00amazing post ... your words hit home with me on ma...amazing post ... your words hit home with me on many different topics and feelings. I love your description of heaven, and maybe I'll meet you there one day. God Bless.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11190148251096131674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-87977003788679739762010-07-03T14:03:27.982-05:002010-07-03T14:03:27.982-05:00I used to work at a recovery center & would se...I used to work at a recovery center & would see all those people come in struggling with their addiction, but I could never understand why they couldn't just stop. Of course, the longer I worked their the more I understood the disease. <br /><br />God will help you through those temptations. And I believe heaven will be just like you described it.<br /><br /><br /><br />Stopping by from Saturday Sampling.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06864977144460701741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-6912390127562922202010-07-03T12:42:44.402-05:002010-07-03T12:42:44.402-05:00My ex-husband is an alcoholic, so I became immerse...My ex-husband is an alcoholic, so I became immersed in the AA community while we were married; there is NOTHING like it! It is the most supportive, accepting community there is. And there is nothing like the empathy of people who've been where you have. I run a monthly support group for parents whose children have been diagnosed with mental illness; your friends and family can care all they want, but only those who've heard the words, felt the fear, etc. can truly understand. Same with AA ....Yenta Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06573241381406620036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-6787033662759944722010-07-03T12:37:15.780-05:002010-07-03T12:37:15.780-05:00Thank you so much for posting this. I know that ma...Thank you so much for posting this. I know that many people will relate. <br /><br />This reminds me (non-drinker) of being at parties back in my early 20's and a friend (alcoholic) who just could not accept that I wouldn't need to drink. I think she needed me to drink so that she could feel more okay with her own drinking. <br /><br />My Adult Children of Alcoholic meetings were very helpful, too; everyone "gets" you and calls you out on your shit, which is (to me) refreshing. I'm happy for you.Mrs4444https://www.blogger.com/profile/06426176094895489541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-27737765273447563162010-06-22T23:30:22.320-05:002010-06-22T23:30:22.320-05:00Wonderful post! You are so brave to share this wi...Wonderful post! You are so brave to share this with everyone! There definitely is a power in transparency. I have never been an alcholic, but I know what it is to hide a shameful secret and pretend. There is nothing worse than the pretending. It damages our spirits, our emotions, and our bodies. Truth and sharing our truth brings healing and invites the Savior and others to help in recovery. <br /><br />I wish you all the love and peace in your journey of recovery!Alyson | New England Livinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16209837924378793507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-35869596455680517822010-06-22T20:16:55.067-05:002010-06-22T20:16:55.067-05:00Although I cannot and won't pretend to know wh...Although I cannot and won't pretend to know what it feels like to go through and experience what you've experienced....reading your story (ongoing) makes me want to HONESTLY recognize my flaws, focus on them, and find ways to overcome them. We all have parts of us that need to be reeled in, battled, controlled....and if we can recognize their negative impact and truly work to better ourselves, then it's worth it. <br /><br />I think.jmthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15910737494137891606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-80586932529825363252010-06-21T15:11:02.013-05:002010-06-21T15:11:02.013-05:00I loved this post. You put into words so beautif...I loved this post. You put into words so beautifully the way that I feel. One of these days I'm going to sprain my neck from nodding in agreement as I read. <br /><br />AA opened the door, for me, to the idea of spiritually, a Higher Power, God. It took a while, but I'm so grateful that I witness this Grace all the time now - in meetings, in life. I drank to feel just a fracetion of the belonging, beauty and peace I feel at those meetings. When I first got sober, I didn't understand the concept of Grace, and someone said to me "You'll know it when you feel it". <br /><br />I feel it. I see it. And I'm so very grateful.<br /><br />-EllieOne Crafty Motherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16725034625939625126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-91755348567979661072010-06-21T14:35:27.393-05:002010-06-21T14:35:27.393-05:00We are ALL so much more than the worst parts of ou...We are ALL so much more than the worst parts of our beings. I think that we all try SO hard to hide & cover it all up- to be the person that we want everyone & anyone to think we are, but the beauty is in how our weaknesses work with the stregth & grace of others....Love this, Heather! :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112222816531905191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-31891827377917181692010-06-21T09:42:27.912-05:002010-06-21T09:42:27.912-05:00"As a believer in a God who supplies that gra..."As a believer in a God who supplies that grace in our struggle, I am starting to see that this is how heaven will be."<br /><br />This. This is so beautiful.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06924784279928092348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-8408950930190463592010-06-20T19:05:58.006-05:002010-06-20T19:05:58.006-05:00PS. Just read through the comments. I have no prob...PS. Just read through the comments. I have no problem identifying myself as an alcoholic 20+ years after my last drink. It is not my identity but it does remind me I am not God. And it doesn't take away from the reality that I am in Christ and Christ is in me. I think sometimes people panic thinking that to say <em>I am an alcoholic</em> means I'm forgetting who I am in Christ. That hasn't been my experience.Hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02045801745534184703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-70057303750453257222010-06-20T18:59:27.560-05:002010-06-20T18:59:27.560-05:00"My sick alcoholic thoughts make perfect sens...<em>"My sick alcoholic thoughts make perfect sense to the people with nodding heads around the room. Grace takes on human form in those rooms, embodied in my fellows and leaping down my throat. It wraps itself around my insecurities and sets me free."</em><br /><br />There are times when I am completely undone by this.<br /><br />And the other stuff? I had an experience once where I got a glimpse of the 'me' that is eternal and I couldn't stop bawling at the idea that that part of me lives forever.Hopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02045801745534184703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-81836630372852469752010-06-20T07:15:15.968-05:002010-06-20T07:15:15.968-05:00One day at a time. That is all we can ask for. Jus...One day at a time. That is all we can ask for. Just one day at a time and if we get through that day it is an accomplishment. No regrets for the future. We also have to learn to forgive ourselves, too. <br /><br />Just one day at a time.<br /><br />Your words can be such a balm. Thank you for sharing.Alitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09470698206904719203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-76467069743836067482010-06-19T23:09:56.067-05:002010-06-19T23:09:56.067-05:00I can't decide which I like more...your post o...I can't decide which I like more...your post or the comments!!! I reead the same quote (control vs enjoying it) early on in my recovery and it made all the difference for me in understanding what I was going through. And I love seeing so many people talk about God's glory and his mercy and falling into His arms. So beautiful and it is making me smile over here.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930533303856458374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-8559966610334344382010-06-19T23:07:13.532-05:002010-06-19T23:07:13.532-05:00Thanks for sharing! I know you are an inspiration ...Thanks for sharing! I know you are an inspiration to MANY!! ((HUGS))Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04243241502261974167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-53816270968969602062010-06-19T22:37:22.831-05:002010-06-19T22:37:22.831-05:00Hi again Heather. I wanted to come back briefly be...Hi again Heather. I wanted to come back briefly because I read Aging Mommy's comment too and have another opinion. Sometimes, we have to go back before we can go forward. There was a time when I needed to look back into my family's history, to understand how being an adult child of an alcoholic had shaped me -- indelibly. No, that is not my only title, ACOA, but it is one that helps me understand many things about my life. Heather, you are still pretty new to the journey, and we both know that half the battle is owning up to the disease and how little control we have over it. I think that by identifying with this particular part of yourself, you are trying to bring others to healing, even as you heal. You couldn't do that adequately without naming the disease. Bringing the disease to light is the last thing the disease wants. It would rather hide and continue to sneak up on you. It can more easily do this in the darkness. You are bringing this to light and I know that you are being healed and will be healed because of it. Meantime, I have no doubt other parts of who you are -- mom, wife, friend -- are also becoming healed. That's the way it works. You can't fix one wound without it affecting others in a positive way. Keep on sharing your light, even when it's hard.Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-78444824668805553512010-06-19T22:25:55.939-05:002010-06-19T22:25:55.939-05:00Getting little glimpses of what it's like to b...Getting little glimpses of what it's like to be in His presence eternally ... I think this is why we have these trials and tribulations in the here and now. Because He wants us to fall into His arms and find grace and understanding and perfect acceptance. And when we fall into His arms it brings Him glory. <br />Addiction is unimaginably hard road to walk and recovery is taken in little steps of faith, but I consider my trials joy because I know it brings Him glory. <br />Hope that makes sense. I'm not a masochist or anything. I just enjoy the part of bringing God glory even in the most dark of my days. <br />Love you, Heather; thank your for these thoughts and your honesty.Hyacynthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08838590548747956315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-80958570296026337672010-06-19T21:12:49.459-05:002010-06-19T21:12:49.459-05:00Thank you so much for opening yourself up to us th...Thank you so much for opening yourself up to us through on your blog. It's made me understand friends and relatives who have been in your place. It helps so much to know where they are coming from, to know the distance I feel at times, to know what comfort they find from their groups. Again, thank you. Wish I could say it more eloquently.Kate, aka Guavalicioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03262691817279213060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-92211988562757068982010-06-19T21:09:06.182-05:002010-06-19T21:09:06.182-05:00Aging Mommy,
It's totally fine to say that. I ...Aging Mommy,<br />It's totally fine to say that. I know I need a new obsession, but the thing is, right now, it's just about getting through the day and hoping to learn a thing or two. It's about surviving and showing up for my life in a way I wasn't before. So I hope that my passions take over slowly, but with alcoholism (and so many other things) that takes time.<br /><br />Annette - HI! Um...it's in the big book-it's the chapter titled Crossing over the river of denial (I think) That lady is FUNNY and smart and it's one of my faves.Heather of the EOhttp://www.extraordinary-ordinary.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-5727652222861049712010-06-19T21:04:24.290-05:002010-06-19T21:04:24.290-05:00My favorite geometric shape is now the circle. Yu...My favorite geometric shape is now the circle. Yup! I love 'em. What (who) are you reading?Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10727798025436838525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-61315249210279307002010-06-19T20:43:49.354-05:002010-06-19T20:43:49.354-05:00Your beautiful description of heaven is exactly ho...Your beautiful description of heaven is exactly how I currently strive to live my daily life. Open, flawed, accepted. Boy howdy do I struggle with it, A LOT. But this form of heaven, that you describe, is divine.Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15462569218964784357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-16277803785764873122010-06-19T20:34:01.247-05:002010-06-19T20:34:01.247-05:00"A power in transparency." I think many ..."A power in transparency." I think many of us, alcoholic or not, search for this. The ability to just be ourselves, to free ourselves from that which we feel we must be, though often it is not who we are. To discover the grace you speak of, however it happens, must be truly amazing. To be free, for however long, to just be. Powerful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-65532849044911555032010-06-19T20:21:00.179-05:002010-06-19T20:21:00.179-05:00I hope you don't mind me saying this Heather b...I hope you don't mind me saying this Heather but I think you do have to now find a new set of passions in life so that you can truly leave your past overriding passion/obsession behind and identify yourself not as an alcoholic but as the oh so very accomplished woman, writer, mother and more that you really are.One Photohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05793386254564806126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-73816803135622041282010-06-19T19:59:14.533-05:002010-06-19T19:59:14.533-05:00"never pretending"
Oh how I hope you..."never pretending"<br /><br />Oh how I hope you're correct. I promise to be a very good girl, from now on, if this is the case.<br /><br />Your progress is humbling. Go girl!Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16041241998702255016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-36008695519510414472010-06-19T19:55:59.686-05:002010-06-19T19:55:59.686-05:00Heather, you go very deep into what addiction is h...Heather, you go very deep into what addiction is here. I especially loved the line when your brain was beckoning for that rush, and how much it wanted alcohols to be what started it. I think the key, perhaps, is to find a substitute rush, not one made of chemicals, but of a love that only God can provide. Sounds simple, I know, though it's not. But I do think that in the end, that is what will quench our thirst, and all of our desires to get the more that we seek, and more that pushes us, the more that is impossible to fully find in this life, but can be partially glimpsed through the eyes of the Creator.Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-462728671028708590.post-48515776858626277122010-06-19T19:17:03.812-05:002010-06-19T19:17:03.812-05:00There is more. So much truth here, lady. That is...There is more. So much truth here, lady. That is what heaven IS. Not just being with God and of God, but that experience of being "of one heart, one mind, and one purpose." What grace to get small tastes of that here on earth.Kimberly Vanderhorsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01653757517652257445noreply@blogger.com