Between Cakes

This is the story of Elizabeth who never knew what stress was, and maybe for her sake that was good. But stress, like dust, she cleaned up what she could each day. Cleaned and drank... like a cow who gave a good bucket of milk and then kicked it over. After maintaining her sobriety for thirteen years, she discovered that it wasn't enough, she could break down anyway. The long hard struggle of using the skills of her 12-Step program came slowly. Her service work as a modern mystic included raising the consciousness of people who did not see alcoholism as a fixable illness, and opening a free day-center which provided a safe place for alcoholics to take their disease. The results of this work meant one less drunk on the street, one less rape, one less child being abused, one less accident. All this work was for "one less," and mainly that she would be the first one less. When she carried the 12 Step program to the Women's Maximum Security Prison for 5 1/2 years, she knew of only 4 less. The spirituality it took to settle for these small figures! And then to have the courage to leave the excitement of these battles and fight her own war on the home front where the odds proved better: not just one less of six family members, but one whole family, her family, on the road to recovery. Since mystics aren't paid well, she ran one of the most successful small businesses on the East Side of Providence with steadfast dedication for fifteen years. How does the story end? There is no end to this ongoing mystery of life. Elizabeth simply reports her progress and experiences through these parables with the spirit of the Bowery girl and the pride of the independent woman she is today.