A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section. Thanks for the challenge, Sammi!
One of my therapists suggested I illustrate my feelings during this particularly ugly and potentially lethal time in my life.
CIRCLES IN THE SPIRAL
Denise and I used aspirin to punish our hungry stomachs. Did you know you can get high on mega doses of plain old Bayer? Or that you could be addicted to them?
Once when she was in treatment, I smuggled the contraband in a baggie in my large Diet Coke.
Oh, we had lots of tricks up our sleeves next to our boney arms.
Killer ideas.
**Not one of my prouder moments. Denise wasn’t her name and I’m not sure if she’s still alive. 😦
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Wonderful, Rochelle! Reads like the opening paragraph of a novella. I want to know what happens next! 🙂
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Dear Sunra,
Thank you for your kind words. I have written a novel on the subject. As yet no publisher. This isn’t actually a scene from those pages but is a true scene.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ooh, interesting, Rochelle! If you do write a mini-novella on the blog, I shall read it with avid interest ☀️
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I am SO glad those days are in the past and you are still with me. I can’t imagine life without you in it now. Back then we were not sure of the outcome. Hard story, but bitter truth.
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Dear Jan,
It was a dark time. I’m glad I can look BACK on them. Thank you for sticking by me. ❤
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The things we did – and somehow survived, thank goodness.
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Dear Keith,
I am often amazed when I look back on the things I did. Amen to survival. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Your experience comes through in your drawing: its distortions of reality, time, sense of entrapment with no release. But you escaped that cycle of addiction and pain. Praise God! The grinning Cheshire cat smile says a lot: Alice in Wonderland, helpless to get out of the rabbit hole. Scary.
Shalom uv’rachah,
Dora
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Dear Dorah,
I definitely had a guardian angel or two in my corner. Grace indeed. I’m pleased that you caught the messages in my drawing. Scary times. Happy to have escaped the rabbit hole. Thank you.
Shalom u’vrachah,
Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle,
Aspirin now, is it? But such a fine little secret it was. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
Yes, I think “Denise” was the one who clued me in on that one. Talk about self-destructive. The large doses of the stuff caused a major stomach upset, therefore and appetite suppressant. Now that secret’s out. The beauty of telling these is it weakens “The beast.” Thank you for coming along for the read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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’tis so, Rochelle,
The beast(s) within us can be blinded by the light. “self-destructive” never stopped any of us. 🙂
Peace,
Bill
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Ah, dark times are real times. For many. And yet many do not dare voice them, for fear of being judged imperfect. Though none of us are perfect, and many of us have known things we are not proud of, let alone under times of duress and skewed perceptions. Thank you for sharing yours and … I am really really REALLY glad you are still with us. Mega doses of aspirin have a lotta other issues they make worse … as I know you know. Oy. Sigh. Hugs.
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Remembering the dark times makes me grateful that they’re (for the most part) in the past. I know how lucky I am to be healthy after the torture I put my body through. I do know what mega doses of aspirin can do…for that matter, I knew at the time. Thank you for your encouraging and understanding words. Happy to have friends like you in my corner.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Waving (from your corner… BTW, do you serve hot cocoa in your corner? … cuz I’m planning on being there, so … ;))
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Dear Rochelle,
I have to commend you for sharing your story, painful as it must be to do so. Doing so does, however, have the capacity to help others. I am, yet another, who is awfully glad you are still with us.
Shalom and lotsa healthy love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
It’s always a little risky to share these stories. And it’s not because I’m worried about judgment from others. It’s kind of like poking at old wounds. There’s a certain vulnerability to it. I do hope that my stories are helpful to someone who might need to read them and know they’re not alone. And, who knows? Maybe that novel will find a publisher. It could happen, right? Sigh.
Shalom and lotsa strong and healthy hugs,
Rochelle
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I bet it is. and there is undoubtedly a vulnerability attached to it.
I like to think there will come a day when you will see it published!
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From your mouth to God’s ears. I think that even if it is fictionalized it’s a true story. Still my confidence is rattled.
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I bet.
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