Saying Good-bye to Wine

Zoe FitzGerald Carter

Location: California,
Birthday: March 27

Bio: I'm a journalist whose first book, Imperfect Endings (Simon & Schuster) was published last year. It's about my mother's decision to end her life after living with Parkinson's for many years and the struggle my two older sisters and I had coming to terms with that choice. The book was excerpted in O magazine and was chosen as a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick. Paula Span in the The New York Times, said "I could quote from this book all day." People magazine said, "Carter coaxes beauty from the bleak." And The Boston Globe called it "an engaging and insightful tale of familial love, understanding, and forgiveness, shot through with a surprising amount of wit." I currently live in Northern Cal with my husband and two daughters. I am available to talk to bookgroups by phone or Skype or -- if they are in the Greater Bay Area -- by person. You can read more about my book or contact me through my website: imperfectendings.com

MY RECENT POSTS

The Not Quite Empty Enough Nest
February 27, 2012 02:27PM
Saying Good-bye to Wine
December 15, 2011 08:17PM
Kara Kennedy and Eleanor Mondale: A Personal Tribute
September 26, 2011 06:33PM
Dr. Death's Final Decision
June 05, 2011 01:09AM
When The Apple Turns: A Mac User's Tale of Woe
April 21, 2011 03:21PM

MY RECENT COMMENTS

“Glad to know you are a perfectly behaved human being. marco polo. That must be so…”
February 28, 2012 10:42PM
“Thanks so much for all the great comments. I haven't posted anything on OS for aw…”
February 28, 2012 01:52PM
“Thanks for the support, jlsathre and jackie2! Full confession -- I wrote this pie…”
February 27, 2012 08:59PM
“This is a fabulous piece, Lea. It sounds like it could be a book or a short stor…”
September 27, 2011 04:03PM
“Thanks to all who have commented. Having published on "Big Salon," I ha…”
September 27, 2011 12:44PM

Zoe FitzGerald Carter's Links

Contact Zoe: Zoe's Website
Articles by Zoe: KQED; AOL; Salon; San Francisco Chronicle; The New York Times
Media on Zoe: AOL; The Washington Post; The New York Times; Salon; O; WBUR

« Back to Posts

DECEMBER 15, 2011 8:19PM

Rate: 3 Flag

Catching sight of the rows of bottles in my neighborhood wine store the other day -- a holiday banner hanging merrily in the window -- I felt a pang of sadness and regret. Each of the artfully displayed bottles seemed filled with the promise of sensual delight. I could almost taste the chilled chardonnays, the rich, tangy sauvignons. But even more than the imagined flavors, were the happy moments I associated with them: the festive gatherings of friends, the perfect pairings with multi-course meals, the solo glass at the end of a long day.

I admit it, I have really enjoyed drinking wine all these years. So why, why, at the age of 50 did I give it up?

Read the rest at Huffington Post Health

Author tags:

heart problems, wine, atrial fibrillation, holiday heart, personal health stories, heart rhythm disorders

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I admire you for sticking with it. You're right--you don't just give up wine, you give up the whole wine experience, something I've not been willing to attempt yet, though I know I'd benefit from it.