Carol Kirkpatrick, possibly the brightest writer I ever met in a writing group (proof positive being her ability to scribble out a pithy, brilliantly crafted story on the spot) had the additional charm of treating me to an oral history of Brooklyn whenever we walked its streets together. Combining warmth, depth, humor, and subtlety well into her 90s, she will always represent perfectly what I’d like to be when I grow up. My hope is to charm you with this sample of her writing:
Unhelpful Help
I am a recovering alcoholic and a recovering hoarder. It is my belief based on experience that addictions can be overcome and that we need to learn a great deal more about how they are vanquished in order to help the millions, including myself, who are still struggling.
It grieves me to hear people deny that complete recovery is possible. It grieves me because I believe they are making the road to recovery so much harder for those who are struggling. There are millions who are earnestly fighting their demons. They need help, not discouragement.
