Today I Celebrate . . . by @kaisermommy for @maggiedammit

You wouldn’t think that I would celebrate a Saturday morning that has me catching tears streaming down my face before I’ve had coffee.

You could think I was cruel for celebrating the hardest fight of someone’s life.

You might think I’m a little crazy for using the word “love” in regards to a person who’s last name I don’t know.

Honesty. Stoicism. Determination. Self-Awareness. These qualities so brazenly shining through like a comet in a night sky. I am undone.

“I took my last drink nine days ago. I admitted I am powerless over alcohol, and that my life had become unmanageable.” – Maggie Dammit

I celebrate Maggie.

“. . . one of the biggest components of my disease is the need to have everybody like me.” – Maggie Dammit

I celebrate being honest with her audience of readers.

“I preach it every day over on Violence UnSilenced, that speaking out will set you free. I am standing here today, shaking, but free.” – Maggie Dammit

I celebrate advocating for others in the midst of personal struggle.

“Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, fatal illness, and though I had no control over its occurrence I have absolute control over taking responsibility for it, over its treatment . . . Most of us have something we use to disconnect, to zone out, to hide, to run, to stuff away.” – Maggie Dammit

I look at our liquor cabinet – it is silent – not whispering to me. I glance at the refrigerator . . . it holds no seduction. I stare at the kitchen cabinet. Filled with the boxes of processed food. Jars of Nutella – it isn’t luring me now – but it has – and I know it will again . . . my “something” that is chipping away at the potential joy in my life . . .

I celebrate community. Over 200 comments from hands reaching out to lift Maggie up. To still her shaking. Not flinch in the face of her fear, of her honesty. Of the special sisterhood of women who are nodding their heads and saying, “We know honey, we know, come here and we will give you rest.” One can feel the love coming off that page.

I celebrate the women who are speaking their truth with Maggie. Who are willing to share their lessons from 14 years in recovery.

Celebration isn’t always about streamers and noisemakers. Sometimes it is in the tears and love and the sun coming up on a fresh start.

(photo credit Morgan Siler Cecil)

5 Responses to “Today I Celebrate . . . by @kaisermommy for @maggiedammit”

1. Ewokmama says:

   02/04/2010 at 12:58 pm

   Absolutely. Well said.

   [Reply]
2. maggie, dammit says:

   02/04/2010 at 1:11 pm

   I LOVE YOU.

   Thank you for this. Thank you so, so, so much.

   xo

   [Reply]
3. middle-aged-woman says:

   02/04/2010 at 2:52 pm

   Beautiful, kaisermommy!

   [Reply]
4. Al_Pal says:

   02/05/2010 at 7:04 pm

   Truly beautiful.
   Indeed, celebration can be a quiet new start.

   [Reply]
5. VDog says:

   02/06/2010 at 8:30 am

   God, Dawn. You really know how to get the tears flowing, don’t you?

   Love what Ali said – ‘celebration can be a quiet new start.’

   LOVE to all these lovely ladies.

   [Reply]