B.J. Bassett: Mama was a Social Drinker

Mama was a Social Drinker

B. J. Bassett

“. . . I am not alone, for the Father is with me.” John 16:32 RSV

I knew even as a child that Mama was a social drinker. By the time I was a teenager I realized she was an alcoholic and I also knew what to expect at her parties. With an arm wrapped around my neck, leaning her weight against me, she would tell all her friends what a wonde4erful daughter I was. Then with bleary eyes she would gaze at me and slur, “I’ll give you anything you want.” But I never took advantage of her offer because I knew she was drunk.

My mother has always been loving, kind, and generous. In the beginning her personality remained the same, drunk or sober. It wasn’t until later that her personality changed to rudeness and cruelty when she was inebriated. She lost friends, respect, and a thirty-five year marriage. Today Mama is still an alcoholic on a destructive road which I believe will eventually kill her.

Did I ever become angry or impatient with my mother? You bet.

Did I ever feel alone? Many times.

Do I cry? Buckets full.

When I’m at the depths of despair about my mother’s drinking problem I cry out to God for help. During those times, God assures me that I’m not alone and that He’s crying too. He loves my mother and died for her, just as he died for me. And knowing that he loves her too, how can I do less?

Thank you, Lord, for assuring me that you love Mama too.

Reprinted from Meditation for Alcoholics and Their Families

Writers often use their experiences in their novels. Sven, one of the characters in my novel Lily is very sweet when he is sober, yet he’s a mean drunk. In Gillian’s Heart Betsy, Gillian’s mother, is an alcoholic that abandoned Gillian. There are no alcoholics in my novel Sweet Charity, yet the characters have their own conflicts. Sweet Charity is free on Amazon Kindle Unlimited as an e-book. I hope you’ll take advantage of this offer.

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker.

Her books include a historical novel Lily; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story, and coauthor of My Time with God which sold 55,000 copies while in print. Her contemporary romance, Gillian’s Heart, is now available.

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks.

Purchase Sweet Charity HERE