Alcohol makes a mess of your life. Because of driving, I ended up in the hospital. It was awful. I became depressed because my life was such a mess but I am lucky to be alive.
People came to see me from the AA program and I started to go to the meetings. They have books that help. I don’t take credit. A lot of people have helped me stay sober. The church has helped and so has running. I run a lot and I meet really nice people. The right people and running do it for me.
The AA program is good but you have to go beyond that. I have to keep busy. I help out at the church and I come to the library where people like Rachel help me. It helps me feel better to do something for people. My advice is to take care of yourself and remember the pain. Stay away from people who will bring you down. Twenty-seven years without drinking. I thank God.
One day when I went to visit my friend Carol, she was busy making baskets. As I watched her it looked so relaxing that I said I wished I could do it. Her reply was, “here, try it.” I started by copying hers.
Over the years I taught myself more about making baskets, and I made different styles. It was my rainy day work.
The wood I used for making baskets is maple, and red and white ash. For finishing and decoration I used sweet grass. People are attracted to its smell and the smell lasts for a long time.
