My Mom, My Uncles, My Hero's, My Family

Last night, Saturday, my uncles both sons and myself went to a meeting with my mom. She is a recovering addict and last night was her 1 year sober celebration. My uncle received his fob for 90 days sober. And my mom was presented with her 1 year coin by my other Uncle that has been sober for years now.

Now Faithful Readers, you know very well my opinion on addiction. I've never been quiet about how I feel on the topic of addiction and addicts. I still hold firm on those beliefs and my opinions. However, for the past year I have watched my Marmee (it's a pet name that I use for my mom from the book Little Women) struggle day to day and it has been a hell of a fight for her physically and emotionally. But it's not always a fight. Everyday for 365, I've watched her grow into a beautiful, self reliant, self assured woman that loves herself for the first time in decades. I can not express the pride, love that I have for my mother and my uncles. They are my heroes for what they have overcome. I do not have the words that will correctly express my admiration, pride in my family, complete and unconditional love for these three heroes. Most of all My Marmee. Our relationship has been tough but we've always loved each other and when times have been tough we've been there for each other. For the first time in my life, Saturday October 15th 2011, I looked up to my mother, was inspired by her. On that day she became my hero and nothing will ever change that from this point forward. Gale, Marmee, I love you, I'm proud of you and I will buy you your own super hero costume complete with a pink cape! You are a beautiful woman inside and out and I have faith that you will continue to follow the path that God has illuminated for you.

My Uncle received his fob for months sober also last night. You may shrug it off as just a couple months but if you knew him, you'd know that this is a massive occasion. In my 36 years I am hard pressed to remember him sober. He's always been a good man, one of my favorite people in my life and one of my favorite uncles. He has always had a pure soul and a giving nature, he'd give the shirt off his back if you needed it even if it was his only shirt. He's always been there for me and my sons and would never let any harm come to us. I've always looked up to and idolized my Mom's brothers, those 4 men have played a huge role in my life. They helped raise me , taught me, read to me, took care of me when I needed it. Last night, watching him receive that fob, I cried for the accomplishments that he's made to better his life in just a few months and for the man that he is becoming, I cried tears of joy and happiness, pride and love. I cried because he's doing what so many never thought he could do. I know you can do it, and if you ever need help I am here no matter what.

I'm proud of all of them, I love them. They are my family and they win a war every day one day at a time. If you have someone in recovery in your life, you fight with them, you love them and if they fall down you pick them up and walk side by side with them down that road.

Together.

Rebecca D. Harrington-Van Marter