I am about to start THE DREAM GIVER book because God has given me the dream to publish my books. I want to make money (not my only goal) so I can give more to my Ugandan son so we can do more and more in our little ministry. I love giving and have always been a giver
Hi Heather! I too am a recovering addict, with my drugs of choice being prescription drugs that I stole BEHIND THE PHARMACY COUNTER. And just how did I gain access? Because I AM A PHARMACIST!!! And a former liar/thief. I lost my license to practice twice but last got it back in 2006 and have been actively practicing since then.
I am also a writer, too. Published 3 times online in non-famous sites for no pay. That’s ok because we all have to start somewhere, right? My claim-to-fame came in elementary school when my well-meaning mom would ask me if I commented plagiarism on my short stories 🫣. Of course the answer was always an emphatic NO MOM.
I have a somewhat long God story about of how I found you and why I need your editor and writing expertise,but hopefully we will discuss it if you would like to chat.
I have 3 memoirs started (and I loosely mean that lol). One is called SOUTHERN BELLE IN THE WILD WILD WEST:A redneck’s look at life in Wyoming (I hail from Louisiana). The next is PHARMACIST,CHRISTIAN, ADDICT. And the last I haven’t pinned down the final title, but one choice is TO AFRICA WITH LOVE. It’s about God knitting the heart of an ordinary white woman (me😁) with the heart of a black former orphan living in Uganda and how we become mum and mutaboni(meaning “my beloved son” in his Lugandin local language). I met him in 2022 and after many trials and learning experiences, we now have a ministry called “Village Hope Uganda”. I went to meet him, his brother, and the 33 orphans they care for in August of last year.
So how does this involve you? Glad you asked! God has been telling me over and over for years to complete these books, yet I need the guidance of someone who knows what they are doing. Can we talk? I need an editor and publisher. My email is
The power that is found in the very act of writing -- with or without a platform, with or without readers. Just the physical act of getting the words down which brings deep reflection, consideration, sorting through all of it, on the way to make meaning. I have always admired your courage, Heather, and your willingness to be vulnerable. Thank you for that.
I'm so sorry for the tragic loss of your son, Heather. And kudos to you for writing about it and opening up here about your grief and healing. I would love to read your book! The world needs to hear these things. I'm currently writing about a cult church I was in for 20 years, but write here about addiction and homelessness. I understand the psychosis. My daughter is a fentanyl addict but has experienced deep psychosis with cannabis and crystal. It's so scary to watch. Much love and hugs to you, Momma.
Thanks so much for this note and your encouraging words, Rosemary. It sounds like you are writing a very interesting book of your own! I'll come check you out. :)
Marisa, that’s so cool that you just so happened to look me up at this time. My recovery has definitely included rough patches, but I’m so grateful for it. Keep me posted on Ocsober. Thanks for reading, friend.
I'm so glad you're back! I read your blog religiously. I'm still struggling with alcohol 15 years later, and decided to do Ocsober. This morning I woke up (day 1) and suddenly wondered whether you were still writing. It feels like devine timing and prompting to have looked you up again after all these years, and here you are again!
Hi Heather! Reading your words feels like connecting with a friend who has been a way a long time. I think of you and Dave often. Reading that you are healing gives me hope that we will heal someday, too. So thanks for writing.
I have missed your voice, honesty, turn and burn of phrase. So glad your years of writing to heal brought you back to the public square. May you be well and may you find delight and peace as you share from that unique life, mind, and heart of yours.
What a blessing it is to see your words on a page again. Just before your last post God brought you to my mind and I am so glad to see your words again. Thank you for your transparency in your struggles.
I pray that your book will "see the light of day." I would read it in a heartbeat, and buy a copy for every woman in my prayer group. Bring the darkness out into the light. There would be healing for many of us who suffer from loving someone who battles addiction and mental health issues.
I just read this quote (on incarnation) from CS Lewis: "The pure light walks the earth; the darkness, received into the heart of Deity, is there swallowed up. Where, except in uncreated light, can the darkness be drowned?"
Thanks for your words, Kate. If I ever do go back and revise, it will be to focus it less on the shooting and more on the issues of addiction and mental health--which is what it all came down to. Best to you.
I agree with the other commenters, Heather. You have been missed. Every human story matters so much and I am really glad you are back, wanting to tell more of yours. I still want to be on your team. Your post fills me with hope to carry on, bravely telling my true story ("If Heather can do it, so can I.") and limping along day by day, some days quite victoriously. Thanks for carrying on, friend.
Don, so good to see you here. I love the name, Leaving the Land of Numb. Hard to do sometimes, right? I still find ways to race back there. Your encouraging words here mean a lot.
I saw your name in my email and a rush of feelings came back from when your writing helped me get through an extremely painful divorce and the subsequent alcoholism and all the consequences…I believe you are a gift and am glad you reached out to all of us again. So…thank you Heather, you are so very brave.
Cynthia, I am so sorry you went through such hard stuff. I used to deflect all comments that I'm brave. I didn't feel brave. And I felt the requirement was forced on me. But now, I tend to think, "Yeah. I've got some brave in me." Clearly, so do you.
Heather, I stopped what I was doing today when I saw you had posted something because I love your honest voice. I picked up your memoir a couple years ago while I was in an MFA program and I was searching for honest memoir of Christian women who’ve struggled. I needed examples of stories by women of faith to help me write my own tangled story of childhood abuse and the death of my father that brought me back to God. Eventually I’d have to write, too, about my husband’s addiction issues and that difficult journey.
I love your honesty and feel it’s so valuable for so many. I can only imagine the complex web of feelings writing and sharing about Noah, and I would be one those who walked through that harrowing story.
Sandra, thanks for sharing this with me. What a hard journey you've been on. It sounds like you're a writer, too. I'll have to come check you out. Glad to know there's someone else out there who isn't put off by "harrowing." :)
I am about to start THE DREAM GIVER book because God has given me the dream to publish my books. I want to make money (not my only goal) so I can give more to my Ugandan son so we can do more and more in our little ministry. I love giving and have always been a giver
Hi Heather! I too am a recovering addict, with my drugs of choice being prescription drugs that I stole BEHIND THE PHARMACY COUNTER. And just how did I gain access? Because I AM A PHARMACIST!!! And a former liar/thief. I lost my license to practice twice but last got it back in 2006 and have been actively practicing since then.
I am also a writer, too. Published 3 times online in non-famous sites for no pay. That’s ok because we all have to start somewhere, right? My claim-to-fame came in elementary school when my well-meaning mom would ask me if I commented plagiarism on my short stories 🫣. Of course the answer was always an emphatic NO MOM.
I have a somewhat long God story about of how I found you and why I need your editor and writing expertise,but hopefully we will discuss it if you would like to chat.
I have 3 memoirs started (and I loosely mean that lol). One is called SOUTHERN BELLE IN THE WILD WILD WEST:A redneck’s look at life in Wyoming (I hail from Louisiana). The next is PHARMACIST,CHRISTIAN, ADDICT. And the last I haven’t pinned down the final title, but one choice is TO AFRICA WITH LOVE. It’s about God knitting the heart of an ordinary white woman (me😁) with the heart of a black former orphan living in Uganda and how we become mum and mutaboni(meaning “my beloved son” in his Lugandin local language). I met him in 2022 and after many trials and learning experiences, we now have a ministry called “Village Hope Uganda”. I went to meet him, his brother, and the 33 orphans they care for in August of last year.
So how does this involve you? Glad you asked! God has been telling me over and over for years to complete these books, yet I need the guidance of someone who knows what they are doing. Can we talk? I need an editor and publisher. My email is
karen.howington@hotmail.com. God bless you my sister in Christ ❤️
PS: I am about to order your book and can’t wait to read it!!!
Vince, what an encouraging, cool comment. Yes. And admiration back atcha. I hope life has been good to you lately.
The power that is found in the very act of writing -- with or without a platform, with or without readers. Just the physical act of getting the words down which brings deep reflection, consideration, sorting through all of it, on the way to make meaning. I have always admired your courage, Heather, and your willingness to be vulnerable. Thank you for that.
I'm so sorry for the tragic loss of your son, Heather. And kudos to you for writing about it and opening up here about your grief and healing. I would love to read your book! The world needs to hear these things. I'm currently writing about a cult church I was in for 20 years, but write here about addiction and homelessness. I understand the psychosis. My daughter is a fentanyl addict but has experienced deep psychosis with cannabis and crystal. It's so scary to watch. Much love and hugs to you, Momma.
Thanks so much for this note and your encouraging words, Rosemary. It sounds like you are writing a very interesting book of your own! I'll come check you out. :)
Marisa, that’s so cool that you just so happened to look me up at this time. My recovery has definitely included rough patches, but I’m so grateful for it. Keep me posted on Ocsober. Thanks for reading, friend.
I'm so glad you're back! I read your blog religiously. I'm still struggling with alcohol 15 years later, and decided to do Ocsober. This morning I woke up (day 1) and suddenly wondered whether you were still writing. It feels like devine timing and prompting to have looked you up again after all these years, and here you are again!
The world needs your vulnerability and bravery!
So much wisdom here learning to love the broken, hurting and wounded parts of ourselves. I'm glad you found your way back to healing.
Hi Heather! Reading your words feels like connecting with a friend who has been a way a long time. I think of you and Dave often. Reading that you are healing gives me hope that we will heal someday, too. So thanks for writing.
Welcome home. So glad you are here!
I have missed your voice, honesty, turn and burn of phrase. So glad your years of writing to heal brought you back to the public square. May you be well and may you find delight and peace as you share from that unique life, mind, and heart of yours.
Hope, so good to see your name here. Thanks so much for your encouraging words.
What a blessing it is to see your words on a page again. Just before your last post God brought you to my mind and I am so glad to see your words again. Thank you for your transparency in your struggles.
Thanks, Mona. I feel so warmly welcomed by you and others. I hope we'll meet again here.
I pray that your book will "see the light of day." I would read it in a heartbeat, and buy a copy for every woman in my prayer group. Bring the darkness out into the light. There would be healing for many of us who suffer from loving someone who battles addiction and mental health issues.
I just read this quote (on incarnation) from CS Lewis: "The pure light walks the earth; the darkness, received into the heart of Deity, is there swallowed up. Where, except in uncreated light, can the darkness be drowned?"
Thanks for your words, Kate. If I ever do go back and revise, it will be to focus it less on the shooting and more on the issues of addiction and mental health--which is what it all came down to. Best to you.
I agree with the other commenters, Heather. You have been missed. Every human story matters so much and I am really glad you are back, wanting to tell more of yours. I still want to be on your team. Your post fills me with hope to carry on, bravely telling my true story ("If Heather can do it, so can I.") and limping along day by day, some days quite victoriously. Thanks for carrying on, friend.
Don, so good to see you here. I love the name, Leaving the Land of Numb. Hard to do sometimes, right? I still find ways to race back there. Your encouraging words here mean a lot.
I saw your name in my email and a rush of feelings came back from when your writing helped me get through an extremely painful divorce and the subsequent alcoholism and all the consequences…I believe you are a gift and am glad you reached out to all of us again. So…thank you Heather, you are so very brave.
Cynthia, I am so sorry you went through such hard stuff. I used to deflect all comments that I'm brave. I didn't feel brave. And I felt the requirement was forced on me. But now, I tend to think, "Yeah. I've got some brave in me." Clearly, so do you.
Heather, I stopped what I was doing today when I saw you had posted something because I love your honest voice. I picked up your memoir a couple years ago while I was in an MFA program and I was searching for honest memoir of Christian women who’ve struggled. I needed examples of stories by women of faith to help me write my own tangled story of childhood abuse and the death of my father that brought me back to God. Eventually I’d have to write, too, about my husband’s addiction issues and that difficult journey.
I love your honesty and feel it’s so valuable for so many. I can only imagine the complex web of feelings writing and sharing about Noah, and I would be one those who walked through that harrowing story.
I do hope you keep writing.
Sandra, thanks for sharing this with me. What a hard journey you've been on. It sounds like you're a writer, too. I'll have to come check you out. Glad to know there's someone else out there who isn't put off by "harrowing." :)