Succinctly and beautifully stated, Margaret. This short piece is a pleasure to read, both for its craft and for its content.

Two is a very good word.
Beautiful daughter, lovely write for her...
Happy Birthday, Mariclaire!
...and congratulations on "two"

This makes me happy to read when someone is strong enough to over come her demons and I know her mother did nothing but stand by and love her without judgment.
HUGGGGGGG

Congratulations to both of you. This is a fine post to read this morning. Such a wonderful young lady doing the hard work and reaching a difficult goal. Grand job Mom.
Rated.

I give up at OS today. Can't see the pic...

But TWO is a good number and I am very happy for you and Mariclaire. You TWO both know that she's fortunate to be alive.

Congratulations to you both. She's beautiful (I have two/22 year olds) And there is nothing better than seeing them conquer the demons of this life.

Margaret, she's beautiful! I know you are a big part of her sobriety.

Lovely.

Beautiful.

That is so great!!! Knowing something of what she went through, I know you are very proud, but I know she is very proud of herself too. It is so hard to do. Peace be with you both~

bless you both r.

Kudos and best wishes two your daughter and you! What a proud moment.
♥R

I yelled with a smile`
`
She's so cute! Honest.
hope She'll be 102 too.
Just Love her very mush.
Much?
typo
Much
I was sad to realize my daughter:
`
She moved ten times in ten years.
Now She "kicked" me from Home.
She Loves the Place I built`Home.
`
She took the Place over. Honest.
She's like a thirty years `Alice in`
`
Wonderland.
I miss her Much.
She Loves Much.
She has Learned.
Hi `my daugter.
`
P.S.
No burn House down!
If You smoke in bed?
Use a big ashtray too.
`
If you can't sleep at night?
NEVER do like Canadians.
They Place a Jug Under Bed.
`
tease?
`
Sip hot tea in the evening.
Place a Pee-Pot under bed.
Place butts in Piss-Pot. huh.
`
Just Love her etc., Go leave?
If "kicked-out" of your Home?
I got a two room white house.
heehaw!
I best go.
I run errands.
I may buy No`
`
Rum after this!
She's lovely too!
Mother is lovely!
Oops.

I yelled with a smile`
`
She's so cute! Honest.
hope She'll be 102 too.
Just Love her very mush.
`
`
SECOND TRY. Kerry?
The first try no go.
I no ask anymore.
Thank You. Nice.
`
I enjoy Good Folk.
I hope this goes too.
Much?
typo
Much
I was sad to realize my daughter:
`
She moved ten times in ten years.
Now She "kicked" me from Home.
She Loves the Place I built`Home.
`
She took the Place over. Honest.
She's like a thirty years `Alice in`
`
Wonderland.
I miss her Much.
She Loves Much.
She has Learned.
Hi `my daugter.
`
P.S.
No burn House down!
If You smoke in bed?
Use a big ashtray too.
`
If you can't sleep at night?
NEVER do like Canadians.
They Place a Jug Under Bed.
`
tease?
`
Sip hot tea in the evening.
Place a Pee-Pot under bed.
Place butts in Piss-Pot. huh.
`
Just Love her etc., Go leave?
If "kicked-out" of your Home?
I got a two room white house.
heehaw!
I best go.
I run errands.
I may buy No`
`
Rum after this!
She's lovely too!
Mother is lovely!
Oops.

From another mother who loves her daughter like your mother loves you, happy birthday Mariclaire.

Perfect. ~r

Congrats to your daughter, and you for standing by her. Recovery from any injury-addiction or other- is a beautiful if painful process.

Divine! Good for you Mariclaire.

That's a beautiful original name (and good for her).

Best wishes for continued success in Mariclaire's recovery.

Brava, the two of you!

"I detest cheap sentiment"
Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve.

Putting aside the "roses are red, violets . . . " poem, I wouldn't like my mother spreading my life story, which I gather has not been a series of personal triumphs, over the Internet.

Congrats to her and blessings on you. / R

honest, moving, lovely.

That's so great!

Congratulations to her, and let me express my continuing admiration for you as a writer and a mom.

@Gordon Osmond

Must you sully this beautiful post with your mother issues?

Clear eyes, full heart, can't lose.

I stole that from Friday Night Lights, but it seems to apply here quite well.

She will survive and thrive.
Only the best people
go to the brink of madness & degradation.
Escape from the madness of the so called normal world.

Her luck or grace or whatever
is to have you as a mother.
That is why she will sustain.
It is that simple.

She is rather a fetching gal. God bless her future.

Yay! Always good to celebrate the triumphs of your family! She's a beautiful young woman. Congratulations to you both

Sarah: Thank you; I felt I needed a companion piece to my grim little zombie post.

Just Thinking: Two is a good word and also a good number. Thank you!


Linda: Yes she mostly overcame her demons and continues to do so but I'd be lying if I told you I stood by and loved her without judgment. I did not. Almost impossible to do that. Hugs to you.

Scylla: She does work very hard every day. It is always there, waiting for her to slip up and I am very proud of her. Thank you for reading.

trig: More than you know. She is unusual in that she hasn't relapsed. Most young people do. Many of her friends have, multiple times; some are in jail, some have died.

Pauline: I hope so; she says I am. It's good to have her back.

flw: Thank you.

Sheila: Wasn't always the first word that came to mind but it is now.

neil: Thank you; never dreamed I'd be able to write about her in such a positive way.

Scanner: Very very hard. The memories aren't pleasant but the end result is. May peace be with you as well.

Jonathan: Thank you so much.

Fusun: A very proud moment. I'm not one to share too much about my kids but this is one thing I can't keep quiet.

Well. Here's to inspiration & achievement ~ congratulations M !

( Now about the smokes ... ;-)

Art: I hear your smile! I like "mush" much better. I love her very mush and you too for those wonderful words. She may live to 102 - if she stops smoking (you noticed; I don't like it either although sometimes we smoke together). Alice is one of my favorite characters; you must have a magical daughter. Mother would like some lovely rum; have some for me.

Linnnn: She is at work but reading and she thanks you.

Joan: Trying to attain it, or get close.

Rei: More painful than beautiful at first, then the other way around.

Fay: "Divine" is a good word. It's what she's based her recovery on.

Con: I must admit, I'm kinda partial to it. It beats Brunhilda, don't you think?

Paul: Thank you; one day at a time, for both of us.

Matt: We are humbly taking our bows.

Macco: She has a much better chance at a fruitful, happiness-filled life than she did two years ago. Thanks for your heartfelt good wishes.

Congrats to both of you.r

Definitely wonderful things to celebrate! For help with my "quiet mind", I have downloaded a lot of zen dharma talks onto my iPod and they keep me company on the road. I have noticed that listening to them, I have changed my internal processing of irritating situations and people for the better. I haven't been drinking for a few months, as a challenge to myself and habits, and have entered that stage of feeling safe and calm without a glass of wine nearby. Good stuff.

Two parts of a heart: yours and mine. These are the two I hear in your words about your daughter. Lovely words these. Lovely love.

So great! Congratulations!

Gordon: Then I can only assume you thoroughly approve of this post which is by no means my daughter's life story, but rather a celebration of a significant personal triumph on her part of which I am rightly proud: overcoming a life-threatening addiction to heroin.

As for the silly poem - meh. I'm with you. I'm no poet.

toritto: Thank you.

Heidi: I appreciate those kind words; we both do.

Patrick: I'd agree; it is great!

Tom: Thank you for that.

Anthony: I take no offense; he is entitled to his opinion. But thank you.

keri: I've not heard that and it does seem to apply; I like it! A lot.

James: I must say she IS a rather fetching gal; I've been told she looks like me (believe it or not!). We have both been "to the brink of madness and degradation" and it's a frightening place to visit. Thank you for your faith in us both.

CP: Thank you; it is a pretty major triumph, definitely worth celebrating.

Kim: Yes, I know, I know, but one thing at a time.

hugs, me: Thank you kindly sweetie.

I'm very happy for you both. Tough road but she made it I'm sure with lots of help from you. -r-

My God, is that the daughter you had to throw out a few years ago? Now that there's a face to that story, particularly a face like that, it looks even harder than it sounded.

@Margaret Feike

I was remiss not to say congratulations. This type of thing is never easy for any of the people involved. All the best to you and your daughter.

Congratulations, Mariclaire! And you too, Feike family. Two years of worthwhile work and love.

Oryoki: It's not easy to change habits (God knows I've got plenty of bad ones of my own) and real change has to come from within. A content face reflects a quiet mind; you look content. Good for you.

anna1liese: Beautifully said and thank you. That's exactly what I hoped to convey.

Susie: Thank you very much.

Christine: Yes, tough road, with help from not just me but lots of others, mainly a higher power. And from within.

kosher: None other than. And her face didn't always look that way.

Anthony: You said it all in your first comment. Thank you.

dianaani: Thank you for your good wishes and also for reading.

How lovely. Both your prose and that fact that your daughter has turned her life around. Joy to you both!

Congratulations to Mariclaire (love that name :)!

Rated for clear sailing and smooth waters.

phyllis45: Joy received. Thank you for reading.

Seer: Smooth and clear waters - nicely put. That's how it feels now. Thank you for that. And also for liking her name; I'm partial to it myself!

Margaret & Mariclaire,

Geez, I leave my cyber town for 2 days and miss this glorious post. Strong women in the Feike households. And yes, I believe 2 to be good number; very good.

p.s. You even brought Art James out of the shadows with your beauty; both Mom and daughter. Bravo!

22222222 What a positive, hopeful post. Thank you!

Scarlett: You are so sweet and kind. I am proud of her and glad to celebrate her two years of clean time. Two years ago, I wouldn't have believed it was possible. We've both come a long way.

Facing the same battles with Grandchildren - I hope to know the joy of which you write so beautifully. Hugs to both of you..

Ten weeks, myself. Go you two!!!

I am soooo glad my mother didn't have the internet available to her.

to well wishers: thank you. there aren't many other words to say. it leaves me speechless and amazed.

to nay sayers: in the words of mother teresa, "if you judge people you have no time to love them."

zanelle: Thank you; positively.

Barbara: I'm so, so sorry to hear that. Hang on; there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Brian: Way to gooooo!!!!

Spumey: You have a mother???

lj: I miss you and I love you and you'll always be my Pooh.

Blessings to your beautiful baby girl.