You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth.
–Winston Churchill
I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. You can see the stars there. I left for college immediately after high school and didn’t return until I was 55.
I struggled with addiction during my teens, which shaped me in both painful and powerful ways. I began my recovery journey forty years ago. I was shattered, practically breathing in shame and self-loathing with each breath. I felt like an alien. Eventually, I found fellow sufferers who had experienced similar trauma. At the beginning of my recovery and healing, a voice began to whisper — a persistent, nagging urge to write about my experience and help someone else. I want to convey a message of hope to my fellow sufferers — a path to peace.
Now retired, I’m embracing a new chapter in life. I spend my days writing, walking with Mom whenever I can, and soaking up the love of my husband, my kids, and our pack of two loyal, spoiled dogs. In the words of Guido Orefice, “Life is beautiful.”
My husband and I plan to travel and see the world — to have new experiences and adventures, whether it’s in an RV or a foreign land. Life has taught me that it’s never too late to start a new adventure, to explore, to love deeply, and to share what I’ve learned.
If my words can help someone feel seen, less alone, or just a little braver — then that voice urging me to write will have been worth listening to.