Throwback Thursday: Tickle Pink

Talk about a throwback! I have hung on to this empty Tickle Pink bottle for something like forty years. Why? Why not? One reason is that it was part of some fun memories. I would be lying if I said all of my drinking days were problematic and depressing—especially early on, or early on in the night. But then I probably hung on to it because my drinking did become problematic and depressing, and I became an alcoholic. The bottle was a reminder.

It sat on shelves in my apartments in the first years of adulthood, with a dried flower in it. Then, it got packed away in a tote, bringing a smile and also a painful tug each time I took it out. In my most recent downsizing, I settled for this picture and disposed of the bottle itself.

Barely visible on one side of the label are the faded letters of my maiden name. Several of us had our own bottles and we put our names on them. The faded label on the other side tells me it sold for $1.40. I was not a picky drunk–if it had alcohol in it, I would drink it. I was going for the effect, not the taste. (Sure sign of a problem drinker.) On further examination, I see alcohol content at 7%. That was more than Iowa beer had, but less than some of the stuff we got our hands on.

Traveling back in time. Throwback. I threw back many alcoholic beverages in my ten years of drinking. I almost threw my life away. I am one very grateful person writing this today. So appreciative of every person who watched out for me on drunken nights, that helped me find help, that share their recovery with me. Ever grateful for a Higher Power who has always been with me, even when I wasn’t tuned in.

This quote is a fitting close. I also came across this recently in one of those hidden away spots.

“First the person takes a drink. Then the drink takes a drink. Then the drink takes the person.”

If this is you or someone you care about, reach out to the help available. Please. It may be both the hardest thing you ever do and the best thing you ever do.