A very close friend of mine was kind enough to write an article with a historical review of her strength in prevailing over her demons with alcohol. She truly is the strongest woman I have ever met and, infact, loved as my good friend. I am proud to share her story with you.
Please read this and absorb it as I know she never thought all of this would happen to her.
Every April I go back to 1978, specifically the 17th, when my brother-in-law Danny carried me into Marin General Hospital Emergency Room. I was unconscious and taken to ICU. I didn't regain consciousness until two days later when I heard my doctors' voice. He held my hand while telling me I had esophageal varices and that I should tell my daughter, Erin, who was 10 at the time, that I did not have long to live. We cried together and prayed.
I made a deal with Jesus! I told him that if he let me live, I would never have another drink! When my sister picked me up from the hospital she went to a bar that we had always visited. The bartender asked what I'd have and I said a Tab. He took off his apron and went to the store and bought be a Tab.
While I've never taken another drink, I have had a wonderfully interesting life. The most interesting person I ever got drunk with was Janice Joplin. One day a woman knocked on the door of a small cottage where I was living with my daughter. When I opened the door Janis was there asking me if I would like a drink.
I couldn't be rude so we got roaring drunk. God love my beautiful daughter, I had completely failed as a mother. God blessed me and allowed me time to make up for years of neglect.