I feel very honored to be a guest on Carol Graham’s Radio Show, “Never, Ever Give Up Hope.” It was such a pleasure to talk about my memoir with Carol, who has overcome many personal challenges, and has written about them in her own book, Battered Hope.
Our conversation shines a light on my daughter Angie before she became ill with drug addiction, which only emphasizes the tragedy and cruelty of the disease that is claiming so many of our young people. But the memoir is primarily my story where I gradually weave my own recovery into the pages even as I’ve watched my daughter falter. Carol and I share the same philosophy: that no matter what life throws our way, we can learn to deal with it and live well and happily.
She has become a good friend. I look forward to continuing my story in my next memoir—a lighter, humorous collection of stories from my travels and escapades—and talking with her again.
The interview has gone live. You can listen to it on her website: http://neverevergiveuphopenet.blogspot.ca/2016/04/love-and-redemption-overcoming-guilt.html
You can also find it on Apple i-Tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/love-redemption-overcoming/id1014754680?i=365336143&mt=2
Or listen to the Stitcher podcast:
http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/never-ever-give-up-hope?refid=stpr
I hope you will enjoy, share, and review these downloads and invite your friends to do the same. I think it’s important to continue the conversation around addiction so it will lose its stigma and someday be viewed with the same compassion as other chronic illnesses.
Thank you for sharing your story on the radio program. My story is quite profound and I am not ready to share it. The pain I internalized caused an aortic root aneurysm. My heart actually broke when losing my beautiful, college educated daughter to heroin addiction. I am currently recovering from open heart surgery. My heart is literally rebuilt just like a car engine. It is miraculous that I have survived this, and am thankful to be alive. My biggest challenge is to let go and let God. We are all in God’s hands including our drug addict daughters who we will always love and cherish.
DH, You sound like you are well on your way to recovery, both physical and spiritual. I understand your struggle all too well, but I’ve had to let go of my beautiful daughter as she finds her way. Many addicts recover and return to their families. Perhaps our daughters will, too. Never give up hope!