Top Holiday Memories - Episode 7

His wallet was tattered, held together by carefully placed tape and a couple of rubber bands. Being a child of the “Great Depression” my grandfather never believed in wasting anything that had the least bit of use in it – including the remnants of his brown leather wallet.


My grandmother, Nana as she is known to all of us, rarely got the chance to surprise my grandfather. He was just too quick mentally and perceptive about his surroundings, but this year she knew she had gotten one by him. She had bought him a new wallet and carefully wrapped it and placed it at the back of the Christmas tree. Wanting to make sure her gift would be the only wallet, she had secretly told the rest of the family about her plan. Every adult knew – except my grandfather.


Christmas eve we all gathered and opened presents. My grandfather opened Nana’s last. As he carefully released the tape, unfolded the paper and lifted the gift from the box, we all saw his old, torn wallet. “Who in the world gave me an old rotten wallet,” he exclaimed. As everyone watched on shock, he continued, “Why, I’ve a perfectly good wallet right here.” As he lifted Nana’s gift from his pants pocket – it was clear to all of us that he had switched the wallets and rewrapped the box sometime earlier in the weeks preceding Christmas.


To this day we all still chuckle about it and Nana – well she still pretends to be mad.

Top Holiday Memories - Episode 6

My maternal grandparents lived in the motel they owned and ran on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The living room had a large picture window that looked out over the front porch and onto the street below. The Christmas tree always went in front of the window.


My grandparents were the first to get an artificial tree, and they went all out. The tree was silver metallic and had ornaments, but no lights. The lights were provided by a large floodlight sitting on the floor beside the tree, shining through a revolving color wheel that changed the light – and thus the tree color – from red to green to white to blue. It was amazingly different and I was enthralled for about 30 minutes. They only used that tree one year.

Top Holiday Memories - Episode 5

My Aunt Betty always did an amazing job wrapping presents. Not only did she hide the tape beneath the folds (this was before double sided tape), but even the wrapping paper with patterns, met and matched at every seam, while the bows, always handmade, top each present with brilliant color and design. Aunt Betty’s presents were a work of art. My Grandmother was always quick to inform us that Betty COULD do those, because she had plenty of time - not having any kids of her own and all – “bless her heart.”


Years later, after Betty and Bobby had children, her wrapping still made me marvel.

Top Holiday Memories - Episode 4

Then there was the time that without any provocation and no history of misbehavior, Eleanor the Siamese cat leaped from the ground into the Christmas tree and sent it crashing to the floor. My in-laws, who housed the cat, subsequently tied the tree to the door hinge with twine ever year – even after Eleanor died.

Top Holiday Memories - Episode 3

I don’t know what possessed me. Most of us were standing back stage in the elementary school cafeteria that doubled as our auditorium. I was in the fourth grade and we had just begun to plan for the Christmas program. We were all singing America and although I was always an outgoing child, I didn't know the first thing about singing but when we got to “…above the fruited plains” I couldn't help myself. Something deep inside of me expanded and I sang so loudly that the music teacher rang back stage shouting, “Who is that!?”


I sang “O Holy Night” as a solo that year. It was one of my first “on stage” moments. It is one of my mother’s all time favorite memories – mine too.

Top Holiday Memories - Episode 2

The colors of blue, green, red and bright white danced across the ceiling; the patterns always different - an intertwining of light, creating brief illusions of texture and living shapes. If I listened closely I could hear the ping of the bulbs as they flashed individually on and off. I lie on my back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling watching for repeat patterns and tried to imagine what would come next. My thoughts flashed from the lights to the coming of Christmas. What was in the present under the tree wrapped in the bright green paper with my name on it?


I could have stayed there forever. In some ways, I guess I did.

Top Holiday Memories - Episode 1

The single pane glass quickly fogged beneath my breath. I leaned back and did my best to draw a snowman in the white moisture. Now neatly lined up along the middle row of window squares were a rain deer, Santa face, Christmas tree and now a snow man. I was passing the time waiting for my Uncle Bobby and Aunt Betty to arrive for the long awaited Christmas Eve family gathering – when we would exchange and open presents.

To a child this was a moment of waiting that can’t be described in terms of excitement or anticipation, and I was a child then. I don’t remember when they arrived. I don’t recall what presents were given or received. Yet, for some reason, I can remember the feel of the cool glass on my nose and the sound of my finger drawing lines through the moist fog – and more than anything else, I remember being excited and happy.

An Open Letter to Hallmark (and others)

Dear Hallmark:

Thank you for your wide and creative selection of cards. As a man, it is most helpful that you provide me with cards that speak of love, commitment, passion and adoration between a husband and wife. At each season and holiday, when I reach to purchase a card – I am glad you have thought through these details for me.

“How nice. You picked this one because you like the colors – didn’t you?”


I would like to make one request, however. Can you please not design these cards to appeal to me just in order to sell them? Yes, I like brown, tan and other earth tone colors. I am a bit uncomfortable holding flowery, glitter laden and sparkling cards that sing love songs. And yet, even at the risk of making me uncomfortable can you NOT design any more cards that will result in my wife saying – “How nice. You picked this one because you like the colors – didn’t you?” I promise I will buy whatever you sell, just help me out, will you?

Sincerely,


a guy who likes earth tones…

An Inspiring Moment...#UNITEtoFaceAddiction

Last weekend I had the joy of attending the National Rally in Washington, DC - #UNITEtoFaceAddiction. 

Where in the world could you hear Dr. OZ, Paul McCartney, The Fray, Sheryl Crow, Steven Tyler, President Obama, and the Surgeon General of the United States?

Made possible by hundreds of organizations throughout the country and lead by The Faces and Voices of Recovery, this first time rally had a duel purpose:

  1. A shout from the 20+ million Americans in recovery and the millions more affected by addiction that our policies and laws MUST change to begin treating addiction like the health care issue that it is (not a criminal or moral failing).
  2. A 'coming out' party for some of the 21 million people in recovery in America to make the success and joy of recovery more public in an effort to dispense with the many social stigmas playing havoc with our society.

You can find out more about the details of the event over at the this website: https://www.facingaddiction.org/blog/partner/faces-voices-of-recovery 

Joe Walsh Performs at #UNITEtoFaceAddiction

I arrived hours before the scheduled start time and there were already 5-8 thousand people gathered in the National Mall. As the event drew closer, the crowd poured in. Following a full week of threatening hurricane weather - the attendees had navigated the weather concerns and the crowds undaunted. 

Along the parameter of the mall were a few dozen tents with representatives from organizations all invested in the battle against addiction. From Collegiate Recovery Programs to Medical Treatment Providers - the focus was all the same. We MUST make sweeping changes to successfully battle the causes of addiction and it's rampant destruction of lives and communities in our country. 

The message was clear from the stage - MUSIC rock songs, country ballads, alternate tunes, SPEECHES - politicians, activists, medical professionals, treatment counselors - We must have rapid and significant change in our public perceptions, legal treatment and health care management of those struggling with addiction. The shouts of the stars and thousands of people in recovery from the National Mall lawn proclaimed it: We do recover and we do vote.

A Special Message to #UNITEtoFaceAddiction

Today is the day the silence ends. Check out this special message to the #UNITEtoFaceAddiction community from our notable supporters, produced by Yamaha Entertainment Group.

Posted by Unite To Face Addiction on Sunday, October 4, 2015

Want to know more? Are you all in?

Recovery Est. 1999

I am the face of addiction...and recovery.

I was just thinking...

I am originally from the low country of SC and we do have some marvelous scenery. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss… azaleas heavy with dew laden blooms… the whisper of salt air and melodies of yellow jasmine… 

A picture may be worth a 1000 words, but words can paint one powerful picture. Yes?