trippin’

October 30, 2011

I went with my mom and Elsie on a day with the girls and we met Auntie Kay and shopped and ate. I wore Elsie in the Ergo, her happiest place, and she napped in there two times, even while we were eating.

When we were shopping (for her, of course) (and I don’t even like shopping but for her I do) she snoozed up close and I would tighten the straps to get her even closer and then I’d sniff her head while fanning through the hangers on those round things.

It’s a two hour drive so that’s four hours in one day and she only totally lost her mind for one hour of it. Which feels like five. That poor screaming baby in the car seat. Ugh.

People remark on her saucer eyes a lot and it makes me stare at them even more.

There’s this new Twin Cities online show for moms coming out and I was interviewed for a segment on it after we shopped and ate. I’m always asked why I would announce on a blog that I’m an alcoholic and I don’t mind that, it keeps this very important conversation going. But this time, Elizabeth, the creator of this new show, asked me what else I write about. Off-camera she said, “because you are obviously a lot more than that. That’s just a part of who you are.”

Thank you, Elizabeth.

It’s true. I’m Heather and I’m a recovering alcoholic and I love the stir fry bar at Big Bowl and extra guac on my Chipotle. Shopping makes me tired and over-stimulated and I get anxious when babies cry in the car. (Of course.) I love sweater-without-a-jacket weather and the way the sky changes around 5 o’clock on October evenings.  I’m Miles and Asher’s mom and I’m Elsie’s mom and I love to wear her and sleep next to her and during an interview, I missed her.

 

 

 

{ 24 comments }

psychologysarah October 30, 2011 at 8:28 am

so beautiful, you are. Your writing makes me feel like I am in love.

monica October 30, 2011 at 8:46 am

oh, how I love this. the “…more than that” is a reminder i desperately needed today. thank you for writing it so beautifully.

Elena @CiaoMom October 30, 2011 at 8:53 am

Love this! It is so very true…. you are so much and have given us a gift by sharing your story!
Elena @CiaoMom recently posted..Owning Your Story and Finding Your Calling

Krista October 30, 2011 at 9:00 am

Simply gorgeous. Always.
Krista recently posted..This mother’s prayer

Frelle October 30, 2011 at 9:04 am

this was a beautiful post, I love the depth and revealing of your writing, and that your perspective always contains hope and wisdom. It’s a pleasure to read you, really. And thanks for keeping the conversation going, for your committment to advocacy, even while becoming more and more aware that its a part of who you are, a part of your story, but in no way defines who you were or who you are. You are so very much more, an amazing person, and a beautiful soul.
Frelle recently posted..Have And Have Not

Crock October 30, 2011 at 10:07 am

“Hi, my name is Heather, and I wear hats with corn stalks growing out the top.” :)~

Call me!
xo, crock

Krishann October 30, 2011 at 10:24 am

Heather I loved reading this – I loved that it was noted that you are much more. It’s crazy how oftentimes people will use one aspect of our lives to determine the kind of person we are or as a way to identify us when it’s just one part. There’s so much more to us than are past, our struggles…I appreciate your transparency. You are such an inspiration.

p.s. I’m glad you aren’t trippin girl ;)

Alexis October 30, 2011 at 11:34 am

We are so much more than the fact that we don’t drink anymore. Thank you for saying that so eloquently.
Alexis recently posted..Things I’m Doing – Blissdom, Baby!

Ann October 30, 2011 at 11:37 am

and you are one of the most true loyal friends, and beautiful souls the internet has blessed me with.

You are an gifted writer, you are FUNNY, you are beautiful. You are a delightful presence in any room, a truth-teller and a prettiness appreciator. You are humble and wise and wonderful.

You are Heather.
Ann recently posted..Me and Mayim, Blossom and I

Adventures In Babywearing October 30, 2011 at 11:45 am

I love that photo.

Steph
Adventures In Babywearing recently posted..Bounce

Busy Bee Suz October 30, 2011 at 12:44 pm

I love this…..we are all SO much, it is hard to put into words; but you did a good job.
I miss ‘wearing’ my babies. :)
Busy Bee Suz recently posted..I’m a loser and so are plastic bags.

carrie October 30, 2011 at 1:05 pm

Oh goody! As show! Make sure u tell us when it will air so your local girls can tune in! Beautiful post! Thank you!

carrie October 30, 2011 at 1:06 pm

‘A’ show. Darn phone

Nicole @ Rare Bird October 30, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Love this! So thankful that we are so much more than our weaknesses. It’s a good reminder, because especially as we advocate for change in any area–it’s easy to find our “definition” there. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Nicole @ Rare Bird recently posted..The Cost of Playing it Close to the Vest

SoberJulie October 30, 2011 at 5:36 pm

It’s funny to me how often I’m asked about sharing my alcoholism so openly on my blog. I always respond with the question How could I not share it? My blog is like yours, often raw but always open, of course it’s a part of it.
I heart you my friend Heather for each bit of you that you share with me.
SoberJulie recently posted..2 Hours & 13 Minutes

Heather October 31, 2011 at 10:55 am

I say that too. “I couldn’t NOT share it.” At first, for me, it was probably a bit impulsive, not really thought through…but that’s okay because it is as it should be.

xoxo

Jamie October 30, 2011 at 8:44 pm

You are so much more than that! You write about hope and all the raw in the lovely…you know, the extraordinary in the ordinary. I am not an alcoholic, but I find you truly inspiring as a Mama…an HONEST one <3 People are blessed by your words, truly.
Jamie recently posted..You Are Two: A Birthday Letter For B

Jamie October 30, 2011 at 8:54 pm

I just reread my comment, and it doesn’t read the way I meant it. My point is that you are inspiring to people who haven’t had the exact same struggle as you. But we all struggle, and especially as Mamas, we are trying and trying, and sometimes we fail and sometimes we really do a great job, but it is so encouraging to have a voice with such beautiful words to help us feel normal and strong in the struggle…whatever the struggle is…and you do that for me–a lot. Your words are always so beautifully crafted, more than honest…raw and soul gripping…and I appreciate that a lot.
Jamie recently posted..You Are Two: A Birthday Letter For B

Heather October 31, 2011 at 10:55 am

I get it, lady. You didn’t offend at all with the first comment. Truly. But thank you for all your words–a true encouragement to me.

Elaine October 30, 2011 at 10:36 pm

Oh yes, I’m SO glad she said that. Thanks to her for sure. You are SO MUCH more than that.

Also, why did you have to remind me about the awesome Chipotle guac? We don’t have any here and now I want some. Bad.
Elaine recently posted..Happy Halloween! – Miss Elaine-ous Monday

tracy@sellabitmum October 31, 2011 at 6:26 am

So beautiful my friend..and I cannot wait to see your interview. xoxo
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..BOO! In the Blogosphere Halloween Costume Link-Up

Leslie October 31, 2011 at 8:26 am

I love this – we ARE more than our addiction. Thank you for the reminder.

Also, Big Bowl? Awesome. Unfortunately, I’m in Ohio, where there are no Big Bowls. Every time I go to Chicago, though? Big Bowl. At least once! I especially love their ginger ale.

jen November 1, 2011 at 11:10 pm

i would love to tell you that i will seek out the interview. but i probably won’t. not because i don’t love you … but because i can’t hardly find time to take a shower.
but sometimes i just need to comment … even though i always read … because someting you said made me feel something.
i can’t always name it.
but i can always be thankful for it.
thank you, friend.
jen recently posted..drowning.

~j. November 7, 2011 at 10:16 am

YES! We are are more than just the one, or even the prominent (in-the-moment, or usually) attribute of our character. We could all use this, and give ourselves a much-deserved break.
~j. recently posted..Life List

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