Faith

R.I.P., Karen LaPierre

by Bill Brenner December 19, 2011 Faith

I’m sad to hear that Haverhill resident Karen LaPierre was killed yesterday morning by an alleged drunk driver. Mood music: Here’s what happened, as told by Eagle-Tribune reporter Mike LaBella: Karen LaPierre, who with her husband Bill LaPierre ran the Angelo Petrozzelli Food Pantry at Sacred Hearts Church, was standing behind her 2010 Ford Taurus parked in front of 55 South Main St. at 5:20 a.m. Police said she was struck from behind by a 2003 Nissan…  [Read More]

THE OCD DIARIES, Two Years Later

by Bill Brenner December 7, 2011 Addiction

Two years ago today, in a moment of Christmas-induced depression, I started this blog. I meant for it to be a place where I could go and spill out the insanity in my head so I could carry on with life. In short order, it snowballed into much more than that. Mood music: http://youtu.be/IKpEoRlcHfA About a year into my recovery from serious mental illness and addiction — the most uncool, unglamorous addiction at that — I started…  [Read More]

A Word About Christmas Gifts

by Bill Brenner December 2, 2011 Faith

Every year, when family members ask me what I want for Christmas, I’m always at a loss for words. I don’t really care about getting presents, though I love to give them. Mood music: But there are some non-material things I wish for: –That this Christmas season I’ll be free of the blues that almost always plague me this time of year. –That some old friends who have lost someone special this year find peace…  [Read More]

Keeping Up With The Joneses

by Bill Brenner November 29, 2011 Children's issues

It’s not how big your house is. It’s the souls inside that make it a home. Erin and I have had frequent discussions about what it might be like to own a larger home. Our 1300-square-foot townhouse has served us well for more than a decade. But there’s always that desire to have what others have. Mood music: [spotify:track:1gmPJL4u6Jv1oTZEQyDlfw] The discussion usually starts with everything that needs fixing around here: A hole in the kitchen…  [Read More]

Thankful Friday

by Bill Brenner November 25, 2011 Faith

I have much to be thankful for this morning after Thanksgiving. A list: Mood music: –Erin’s Uncle David, for letting me take his vintage car for a spin around the block. —Erin, Sean and Duncan, simply for being who they are. –My sister Stacey, husband Sean and niece and nephew Lilly and Chase, for inviting us into their home for an excellent Thanksgiving dinner. –My brother Brian, for cooking. –My kid sister Shira, for her…  [Read More]

Schoolyard Gossip And The Damage Done

by Bill Brenner November 21, 2011 Children's issues

I’ve made a lot of wonderful friends among the parents in my children’s school community. But like every community, there are people who blow things out of proportion. Mood music: I guess you could lump me into that class of parent. I needle people, especially when I like them, and I can be like a bull in a china shop at school events. I’ve also engaged in gossip with some of the parents. It’s easy…  [Read More]

A Lesson From Gabby Giffords

by Bill Brenner November 18, 2011 Coping tools

I recently watched Diane Sawyer’s interview with Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly. To say I was moved would be an understatement. Hers is the story of a spirited fight back from near death. If you ever get the feeling you can’t do something or overcome big challenges, you should watch this. It will show you that nothing is too big to overcome. http://youtu.be/VOZgta88L5A

Christian Intolerance Or Universal Snobbery?

by Bill Brenner November 7, 2011 Communication Skills

Though I’m a devout Catholic, I sometimes shake my head in disgust over how some of my Christian brothers and sisters behave. I’ve mentioned before how some in my church community are quick to judge other people and how others seem to think you have to be a member of a specific political party to be entitled to Christ’s love. Democrats are often labeled as abortionists. A friend shared this cartoon this morning and I…  [Read More]

Learn From My Mistakes

by Bill Brenner November 4, 2011 Addiction

In all my efforts to get sane a few years ago, I did a lot of stupid things. I’m sharing it with you here so you don’t make the same mistakes: Mood music: http://youtu.be/l4Xx_vjGnlo –Don’t try to control your compulsive binge eating problem by fasting. You won’t make it through the morning, and then you’ll binge like you’ve never binged before. –Don’t mix alcohol with pills that have the strength of four Advil tablets in…  [Read More]

Snowstorm Gratitude

by Bill Brenner October 30, 2011 Faith

It’s 6:14 a.m. and it’s still snowing. But I am big-time thankful for one thing: The power was on when I woke up, and may yet go out. But I managed to get my coffee made first. It’s the little things. Or, for this coffee addict, the huge things. I also stepped outside and found that in my corner of New England, the snow accumulation was not nearly as bad as predicted. Clean up should…  [Read More]

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