"I somehow managed to dislike myself intensely and simultaneously think that if only everyone saw everything as I did, most likely we’d spontaneously have world peace."
Sorry Elizabeth but “simultaneous” feeling sentence brought to mind a moment years ago when I was feeling low and had a drink with one of my dearest and at the same time most competitive friends Lenny. A but somewhat in my cups, I revealed, “you know Lenny, sometimes I feel like the most ‘fucked-up’ person I know”. To which he replied “no you’re not, I am.” Undeterred, I continued “but sometimes I think I’m the healthiest person I know” to which he replied “no you’re not I am”. Somewhere in that exchange is wisdom I like to think but do not know. But world peace would be nice. 🤷🏼♂️
I am jumping up and down with happiness for Elizabeth Crane, her sobriety, honesty, hard-won life lessons. We are all friends of Bill. I am, with my all-too-human cravings and addictions. (If you think it's just alcohol you're kidding yourself.) I want to be Elizabeth Crane. I wonder if she knows how much her suffering and disclosure inspires us fellow humans on the path. Well, me. Thanks to Sari and Oldster, the great disseminator of wisdom and the ability to laugh at oneself. Full of gratitude today? Must be Thanksgiving....
"I somehow managed to dislike myself intensely and simultaneously think that if only everyone saw everything as I did, most likely we’d spontaneously have world peace." Well--there's two of us. A few more and Nobel Peace Prize, here we come. 😂
Thank you so much for this. My dad was sober for 30 years before he died in 2015 at the ripe old age of 87. I’m writing my memoir & I wish I’d found a way to talk to him about how he stayed sober for that long because that feels like a hell of an achievement. He was a friend of Bill’s, I know that much because he and mum disappeared every night during most of my teens to meetings. But I really appreciate your honesty and openness which along with reading other memoirs & articles is helping me to build a more nuanced picture of this complex disease which in turn is helping me to see dad in a different light.
Legend has it that my parents agreed on my first name while listening to someone's story in a smoky church basement. They had their struggles, some massive and tumultuous, but they gave me a framework for just being with people, and quietly showing up. Many of those lessons came through my tagging along on nights they couldn't find a babysitter; listening to difficult stories and a lot of laughter at the same time made me understand that you could have both. Attraction not promotion, I guess. The gratitude for those habits that were instilled in me bubbles up almost every day. Thanks very much for this.
I adore stories about second chances, love them even more when the heroine in the story really works that second chance and makes it count. Elizabeth's emotional honesty, her humor and her gratitude inspire and uplift. I raise my glass of iced tea to you, Elizabeth for turning your gritty past into a bouquet of grace. And thank you for sharing that grace with the rest of us. Also, thank you Sarah for such an important interview.
Thank you! This was so helpful to me in supporting sober loved ones and also working through my own feelings. Loved the honesty and empathy that shown through here.
Sorry Elizabeth but “simultaneous” feeling sentence brought to mind a moment years ago when I was feeling low and had a drink with one of my dearest and at the same time most competitive friends Lenny. A but somewhat in my cups, I revealed, “you know Lenny, sometimes I feel like the most ‘fucked-up’ person I know”. To which he replied “no you’re not, I am.” Undeterred, I continued “but sometimes I think I’m the healthiest person I know” to which he replied “no you’re not I am”. Somewhere in that exchange is wisdom I like to think but do not know. But world peace would be nice. 🤷🏼♂️
I love this.
I am jumping up and down with happiness for Elizabeth Crane, her sobriety, honesty, hard-won life lessons. We are all friends of Bill. I am, with my all-too-human cravings and addictions. (If you think it's just alcohol you're kidding yourself.) I want to be Elizabeth Crane. I wonder if she knows how much her suffering and disclosure inspires us fellow humans on the path. Well, me. Thanks to Sari and Oldster, the great disseminator of wisdom and the ability to laugh at oneself. Full of gratitude today? Must be Thanksgiving....
<3
"I somehow managed to dislike myself intensely and simultaneously think that if only everyone saw everything as I did, most likely we’d spontaneously have world peace." Well--there's two of us. A few more and Nobel Peace Prize, here we come. 😂
Count me in!
Beautiful interview, Betsy! 💖
Absolutely adore both you and her!
Thank you so much for this. My dad was sober for 30 years before he died in 2015 at the ripe old age of 87. I’m writing my memoir & I wish I’d found a way to talk to him about how he stayed sober for that long because that feels like a hell of an achievement. He was a friend of Bill’s, I know that much because he and mum disappeared every night during most of my teens to meetings. But I really appreciate your honesty and openness which along with reading other memoirs & articles is helping me to build a more nuanced picture of this complex disease which in turn is helping me to see dad in a different light.
Loved this and especially the description of sober friends at the coffee shop, there's no better medicine.
I love this so much. The piece about not being a monster, just so self-absorbed you couldn’t be of service. That rings true here as well. ❤️
Legend has it that my parents agreed on my first name while listening to someone's story in a smoky church basement. They had their struggles, some massive and tumultuous, but they gave me a framework for just being with people, and quietly showing up. Many of those lessons came through my tagging along on nights they couldn't find a babysitter; listening to difficult stories and a lot of laughter at the same time made me understand that you could have both. Attraction not promotion, I guess. The gratitude for those habits that were instilled in me bubbles up almost every day. Thanks very much for this.
We're a party of three!
Love this. Identify with all of it. Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth.
I adore stories about second chances, love them even more when the heroine in the story really works that second chance and makes it count. Elizabeth's emotional honesty, her humor and her gratitude inspire and uplift. I raise my glass of iced tea to you, Elizabeth for turning your gritty past into a bouquet of grace. And thank you for sharing that grace with the rest of us. Also, thank you Sarah for such an important interview.
Thank you! This was so helpful to me in supporting sober loved ones and also working through my own feelings. Loved the honesty and empathy that shown through here.
I loved this, Betsy. Happy to know you!
I love the connection between a creative and their recovery. I would love to be considered for this series.
Wow