Twelve Step Reflections

Addiction Recovery, Healing, and Prevention - Notes from Nannette

Courage to Pedal Home

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It was a summer Saturday morning when I decided last minute to run for the Mother of the Year—well not exactly run—but bike.  After breakfast, it dawned on me that just down the hill my oldest son was participating in a triathlon.  With the duel motivation of giving motherly support and also getting ... Read More

In the Nest or Not—It’s All Part of the Plan

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Speaking of birds—outside our kitchen window is a big old apple tree.  In that tree hangs a large bird house.  It was a father and son project years ago.  It’s been mended many times by the father part of the team.  Last year it blew apart in the wind.  This year my husband cleaned out past nesting ... Read More

Bird-Legs or Wings—Which Will It Be?

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I love birds. I think it’s because they’re the only wild creations I can see every day.  I don’t have to go to a zoo or an animal refuge.  All I have to do is keep my eyes open and my ears tuned in.  Years ago I bought a book with pictures and descriptions of all the plants and animals natural to ... Read More

So What Does Love Have To Do With It? – Step 2 Hope

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Recently my brother stopped by for a short visit.  He came from North Carolina where he lives with his family and was accompanied by his son who just returned home from his mission.  Their ultimate destination was Idaho where my brother would help his son get settled for a new year of university ... Read More

The Circle – Step 12 Carrying the Message

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Matthew has escaped once again.  Three-year-old on the soccer field! Out into the middle game he darts.  Dodging the bevy of eight-year-old superstars, his big sister among them, he makes a beeline for his daddy, the coach. I leave my lawn chair behind and make my way on to the field to fetch ... Read More

The Keepsake Catastrophe – Step 12 Practice these principles in all you do

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I’m not a big keeper when it comes to most things, but I have absolutely no judgment when it comes to photos of my children and the paper treasures they’ve generated over a family lifetime. Anything that reminds me of how much I treasure them is a treasure to me—photos, programs, certificates, ... Read More

The Other Shoe – Step 12 Service

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My daughter-in-law and I went together to buy a gift for my son’s birthday.  We bought him a new pair of new running shoes.  They were quite expensive, but he is very much in need of shoes that can take a beating.  I joked with him yesterday that I bought him “a shoe” for his birthday.  We had a ... Read More

“Happy Are We” – Step 3 Trust in God

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We live in a time when toys have buttons that awaken magical electronic powers.  As we search the retail shelves for just the right toy, even grownups are taken in by the invitation on packaging that reads, “Try Me.”  One day, just after Christmas, I was waiting while my mother stood in the return ... Read More