A Family Addicted
Chapter 2 - Life without Irvin
I am sure that the entire country suffered as a result of millions going off to war. WWII was a big war with many who lost their lives. Irvin was just another young man who left a small town to defend his country. For Irvin, he found comfort in his music and his brother, both he would have to leave. For Rene, life was lonely without Irvin in her life. That was sort of the story of Rene’s young life. Her father’s insistence that they live their lives closely with the rules of their religious beliefs further isolated her. However, at the little Catholic School down the road, she did meet a new friend that shared loneliness too.
Rene made friends with another woman whose man left the small town for war. Rene befriended Rose who also had a love leave for the South Pacific to fight the Japanese. Tommy and Rose had a special relationship much like Irvin and Rene. They wrote letters, sent pictures and kisses over the long distances. While at war Irvin made many close friends as they tried to stay safe from the random bombings and enemy fire in the hot south pacific. They drank beer, thinking nothing of it.
For Rene and Rose, the loneliness and fear of the unknown became the topic of conversation on a daily basis. Alcohol became the regular beverage. Long conversations were accompanied by many hours of drinking. Years passed and soon the war was over. Fortunately for Tommy and Irvin, they both came home safe and sound. For Rene, Irvin coming home was the best day of her young life. I always think about is that of the famous picture of the sailor who embraced his woman on Times Square, with confetti and music and everyone cheering for the returning heroes at the end of the war. With that photo in mind, Irvin and Rene enjoyed so much happiness and hope for a new life.
Soon after returning, Irvin joined his brother Ed and opened a record sales store in their small community. For Irvin, it was the perfect way to escape the world. Music soothed Irvin and he escaped the realities of the small town. For Rene, she was so happy that Irvin returned unscathed, but the uncertainty of the future created anxiety.
With all the joy on the surface, there was something that was wrong, although neither would realize it. Alcohol was now a part of their lives. For Irvin, alcohol was used as an escape from the horrors of war, for Rene, alcohol served as an escape from the loneliness and isolation she endured over her young years. As it turns out, the same became true of Tommy and Rose who followed a very similar path.
The birth of alcohol dependence is often never identified, is it to hide from something? To deal with an uncomfortable situation? To be something or someone you are not? Do you know someone who is an alcoholic, who started the way Rene or Irvin did? Certainly at this point in their lives, Irvin and Rene never considered alcohol a “problem” not when life was just beginning for them and there was so much promise.
A New Life Begins …(to be continued)..
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