It is said that some people have incredible will power. They can use that will power to keep themselves from harm !
 
My mother is a classic example of the hardy,forebearing, strong Indian women. She comes from a family where the ather and two brothers lived and died as alcoholics.  Her mother was a compulsive debtor who saw it as a necessity to keep that big family going.Then being the eldest of six sisters she had to endure the madness and power drives of most of them, especialy the three that have been American citizens for nigh on 30 years now.
 
Her husband, my father was an alcoholic, though we do give him the distinction of being a genleman alcoholic who never abused us children or touched  mother in anger. For that i am greatful too but he lived an alcoholics life, drinking  himself silly most nites and neer being a real faher to me, except for encouraging me to get high. The bright part is that Pa did see six months of sobriety. He stopped drinking after a heart bpass and stayed that way till the kidneys claimed his life, all of 72 years old. 

Then there is my younger brother, on and off sobriety in AA for almost 10 years now, and inspite of liver and heart complaints carries on, tryin t drink like a gentleman. Then theres me, an addict that my mother had to cope with every day of her life except when I was away on tour. She stood by me in addiction, she gave me a great hand in the bad marriage and resulting divorce and now she is the sole keeper of my darling NA baby for the past one year. The abuse that I heaped  heaped on her she has forgiven, and she is very happy for my  recovery. 

And through all of this, this woman has never drank,deserted or disgraced our family in any way. She could easily have desetred us when she wentt live in the US and Canada few years ago with her sisters, but did'nt, would have been against her true nature.
 
If indeed I have witnessed a Goddess in living form it would be Ma. I dont know what would have happened to me if she was'nt there to communicate with, both in addiction and in recovery. The most important thing is that in all these years, no matter how much I learn, Ive never been able to win an angry arguement against her. It's like coming up against a wall of some sort each time I try to win a war of words, and wisdom of this Program has given me insight that each time I was disturbed and angry with her, there has been something the matter with me really. 

I believe she is the stronger person. Inspite of everything hat her life has been in regards to family and self-mage,,she has never acted out any addiction at all; I can say that with confidence.  Moreover she has been an examplle of service to family and friends. And she gave to society by being host to young kids at her day care centre for 30 years ,
 
This share has opened new spaces in my psyche; I believe that it has facilitated an appreciation of someone I love very much, but have'nt really been able tp express that love on a person to person basis for the past year, being away from her ! 

Thanks.