I went on my first beer run.
Beer Run | http://www.urbandictionary.com/ | |
1) The act of having to leave one’s present location (house, apartment, yacht, etc) during a social gathering so as to acquire more beer. This typically occurs when the previous supply of beer has run dry, thus necessitating the need to “run out and get some more beer,” i.e. “beer run.” |
Yes, as in I’m pushing 50 years old, and this was my first ever beer run.
This was a big deal considering my strained and suspicious relationship with alcohol.
Drinking is bad.
Drinking will make me an alcoholic.
Drinking in front of my kids will contribute to them being alcoholics.
Buying alcohol is embarrassing.
Thankfully, being around others who are drinking has become less and less anxiety producing over the last several years. And, in the last year or so, I’ve even become increasingly comfortable having my own occasional beer or glass of wine without worrying I’ll become an alcoholic.
But back to the beer run…
Our daughter and son-in-law were in town and they hadn’t seen extended family since their wedding in September. To remedy this unfortunate fact, we hosted a Sunday brunch with about a dozen family members. The brunch gradually evolved into a football party – our Seattle Seahawks had made it into the playoffs! It’s second nature for me to keep the food coming, but not alcohol. And certainly not at 1:30 in the afternoon! Shortly after kick-off, I saw my son-in-law enjoying a beer and it slowly occurred to me this was a ‘beer event’ and we didn’t have many left.
I was standing behind my daughter and husband and leaned in to whisper “Should I go on a beer run?” I’m pretty sure my daughter sustained whiplash she turned her head around so quickly. She started to giggle and I innocently asked “What’s so funny?” – knowing exactly what was so funny. She said “I’ve never heard you say THAT before!” My husband’s eyes were a little wide, too, when he replied “Sure!” So off I went on my first ever beer run.
Throwing caution to the wind, I strolled down the beer aisle and thought to myself, “I’m buying beer in the middle of the day and I don’t care who sees me.” I was nearly giddy with the thrill of freedom –free of fear, free of judgment, and free of shame. I even had the presence of mind to grab both light and dark beer. Then, for good measure, I made a side trip down the chip aisle. This was my first beer run, and I was going to do it up right!
Upon my return, nearly everyone, including me, had a beer and we enjoyed watching the Seahawks beat the Redskins.
I had a victory of my own that day as I defeated fear one more time.
Touchdown!
How about you? What fears have you defeated?
Jan 22, 2013 @ 16:00:04
PS: About a week and a half ago I stopped taking the medication that was making me feel all weird, and now my comments don’t ramble on and on and on and on…. isn’t that cool?! My doc said the problem is that as we age, our bodies don’t filter out the pharmaceuticals as fast and efficiently as they used to, so the drugs tend to build up. I said to the doctor: “Who are you talking about aging? *I* am not aging!”
Don’t I wish… my best-friend-hubby celebrated his 64th birthday on the 17th. I went to youtube and found the old Beatles song “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64” and played and sang it for my sweet guy all day on his birthday. Big mistake… here it is 5 days later and I can’t get that stupid song out of my head. I wonder if that’s another side effect of aging? Sigh. Well, as they say, getting older sure beats the alternative. I recently saw a photograph of an actual tombstone that had this engraved on it: “WELL THIS SUCKS,” and, although I have never been a fan of the word “sucks,” I had to agree…. yikes, I’m starting to ramble again! Great-Grandmother-to-be Lady Quixote, over and out!
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Jan 22, 2013 @ 15:49:16
Hahaha… my most recently defeated fear was that I overcame my fear of reading this post! Two days ago I received the notice in my email box that you had written a new blog post, and I was afraid to click on it and read it until now — because I am one of those persons who cannot safely drink. On January 15, I celebrated 23 years of sobriety, one day at a time and by the grace of God as I understand Him… so, I asked myself, did I really want to read something that had the title “The Beer Run?” I wasn’t sure… in fact, I was about to delete it from my email box just now, when I thought: “Denise wrote this. i’ve liked everything she’s written so far. Maybe I should check this out.”
I’m glad I did. It made me feel happy and gave me a laugh, and that is always a good thing.
You’re about to turn 50, I’m about to turn 60… but we’re still growing up! 😉
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Jan 22, 2013 @ 20:32:42
Hi Lynda! What a great story! Fears show up all kinds of ways…I’m excited you pushed through and read this despite your concerns. Thank you for being so brave, and for sharing about it! (I guess we’ll always be growing up won’t we?? 😉
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 15:42:17
It seems lately I am breaking down may fears in my life! I read a book that calls them (and other obstacles in our life) giants, and it was based on the life of David…well lets say like David I am knocking down my giants left and right!! 🙂 Never been on a beer run (does soda run count?!) but sounds like you had a great time – as the kids used to say… you go girl!! 😀
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 18:51:59
Hi Patty! It’s been great seeing you spread your wings, too! I’m sure there’s much I don’t know about, but your photography blog and guest posting is awesome!
Thanks for sharing!
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Jan 22, 2013 @ 17:56:49
We are going to be wild and crazy gals!
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Jan 22, 2013 @ 20:33:16
Yes! “Born to Be Wild” is one of my favorite songs! Ha!
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Jan 24, 2013 @ 14:28:05
😀
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 11:30:33
Ah, beer runs. I made many in college. I still do at times :-).
What fear have I defeated? I guess it would be that I wouldn’t be able to keep the promise I made to my mom and keep her memory alive for my kids. My daughter was only 2 when my mom died, but she remembers her grandmother. I believe her heart remembers her grandmother’s love. But I also know her memories are my memories, for the most part. She talks about her grandmother, misses and loves her. I think I’ve kept my promise so far.
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 12:39:41
Yes, you sure have kept your promise! No doubt your mom would be honored and proud at what a wonderful job you’ve done.
Thanks for sharing your story!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 22:59:27
LOVE this story of you staring down your fear! As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
Woooohooooo!
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 04:38:02
Hey hey Laura!!
Eleanor Roosevelt was a wise woman, and I love her quotes. Thank you for reminding me of that one!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 22:42:57
You sound so vibrant and victorious in your life. Very happy. And this post is so well written, fun and funny! Touchdown, indeed! Thanks always, Denise!
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 04:36:59
Hey, Diane!
Thanks for reading and commenting 😉
By the grace of God, I do have victories to share. I still struggle in various areas, but as I continue to work on processing emotions and memories, I reclaim my life; and the victories continue.
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 21:15:27
I’ll probably never go on a beer run because I don’t like beer – but kudos to you for doing something outside your comfort zone! And I totally know that feeling of freedom you’re talking about and have experienced it a few times in situations similar (just not happening to involve beer 🙂
My big thing I did this week that I was terrified of but afterward realized wasn’t even as close to horrifying as it seemed like it would be – was ride in an ambulance strapped to a backboard. I am very claustrophobic so I thought surely my brain would explode from panic being strapped down like that and totally out of control of the situation. But not only did my head not explode from panic, but it wasn’t actually that scary after all. And I feel like if god forbid that ever happens again there is nothing to worry about. (btw – I’m fine … just a couple small easy to heel from fractures!)
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Jan 21, 2013 @ 04:34:28
Hi Julia! Yikes! I was glad you mentioned you’d be ok -but fractures? That does sound painful…did you fall off a horse?
I’m so glad you found out riding in the ambulance wouldn’t be as scary as originally feared. Thanks for sharing your story!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 16:31:10
This is so funny. I can’t believe that this is your first ever beer run! But I have been on so many…At this point, I buy beer on a Saturday morning only because I don’t want to go out again at a respectible hour just to buy beer. It’s freaking cold up here, that’s why! I do all my beer buying in a sweep with other errands. And no, I don’t care who I run into!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 16:55:24
Ha ha ha!!! 🙂
I love your attitude, Karen! You are awesome!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 15:07:55
Last semester I, pushing 50 also, was in a college course with those in their 20’s. The professor announced that we had to find a partner to work with for a project. I was horrified…who would want to be stuck with the old lady? After class, with sweating palms and wobbly knees, I stopped a young lady in the hallway and asked if she had a partner yet. She looked at me so gratefully and said, “no…I was wondering how I would meet someone since he didn’t give us time in class to do this”. We have turned into the best of friends and regularly go out to dinner together for girl talk! Horrible fear turned into an awesome and lasting blessing!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 16:54:50
Hi Vicki! That’s a wonderful story, I love it! Thanks for sharing and making me smile! 😉
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 13:22:46
Congratulations on letting go of a heavy burden that wasn’t your to carry. My brothers and I used to joke between ourselves that Mother’s refrigerator would blow up if anyone so much as put a beer in it. However, as teens we only knew how strongly she was opposed to drinking. We didn’t know why. It was only after we’d all left home and had children of our own that Mom discovered she could enjoy an occasional glass of wine with dinner or even a cocktail. It was only late in my mother’s life that she chose to share with me her opinions about alcohol. Congratulations on your victory.
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 16:54:10
Thanks for that nugget “a heavy burden that wasn’t yours”. It has been a heavy burden that affected many of my relationships. I thought I was protecting my kids, but it did create some issues I wasn’t expecting.
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 13:16:36
I’ve never done a beer run – but I’m putting it on my bucket list for this year! 😉
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 16:51:44
Good idea, Dianne! 😉
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 10:54:40
The less fear the better…..I’m still workin’ on mine :^D
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 12:07:57
Hi JennyElaine! I think I’ll always be a work in progress where my fears are concerned.
But let’s make each victory is a celebration!! Woo Hoo!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 10:27:31
Haha Bravo Denise, sounds like you’re still enjoying life, but I thought you were pushing 39……….. 🙂
Hey was Beer Run on your Bucket List! 🙂
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 12:06:44
Hi Brian!
Good point about the Bucket List! As for pushing 39…well I pushed by that one long ago!
Thanks for making me smile, though! 😉
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 09:05:32
Any time we conquer any of our fears is cause for celebration! I haven’t been in those shoes, but boy, I’ve been in some similar ones. What a trip it is to move past those fears.
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 12:03:25
That’s for sure! 😉
Thanks, Esther!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 08:11:53
This made me laugh. I’ve gone through the same thing. My son was astounded when I had a beer with him (well a half of one anyway) after he turned 21. I don’t care for the taste of alcohol, never have. I have learned the more I am around people who drink responsibly the less uncomfortable it is. I also know that if either one of my kids develop a problem with it I have modeled ways to deal with it but I am not their conscience, nor should I be. It’s o.k. for people to have fun and enjoy drinking. I get to leave anytime it’s not. Growth is wonderful ain’t it?!
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 08:38:31
Oh Marsella! You always say exactly what I need to hear! Thanks for putting that into words “I have learned the more I am around people who drink responsibly the less uncomfortable it is.” That is so true! It’s helping reverse the opposite truth I grew up with -The more I was around those who drank irresponsibly, the more uncomfortable/afraid I was.
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 06:55:57
Awesome! You did it, and the world didn’t end. 🙂
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Jan 20, 2013 @ 07:09:07
That’s so true, Ruth! 😉
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