Book excerpt: Alcoholism has been alive and well in both my families for as long as I can remember. Only, I didnt know that caused my family members to behave as they did. Sometimes they laughed and had a good time, and sometimes there was great sadness. There is no denial in admitting or accepting that. That is how the cookie crumbles. I love them very much, and they are very important in my life. They indeed are my backbone, and I will never forget that. It is very hard at times, and trust me when I say it certainly is, but that is just life. I have to try that much harder to overcome my own alcoholism. Oh, well.