a very good book indeed

I had heard from others how good "Impaired: a nurses story of addiction and recovery" by Patricia Holloran was. Good does not even begin to describe it. My sister gave me this book as a gift for Christmas. She had heard me mention it in passing one day, and as always she remembered. More important than the book itself is how she came about aquiring it. To know my sister is to know that she doesnt just give a gift, she puts an incredible amount of effort into it. I opened this book last night, carefully removing the wrapping paper. I expressed my thanks for the gift, commented on her remembering such small things in passing. And then she killed me by saying this "I went to used book stores, I wanted to find one that had history attatched, so you would know someone here, in Alaska, had read this same book before". I cried. I discussed that deeper meaning with her, discussed the other nurses hands turning these same pages, and immediatly told her that it was a gift i could not keep. I would read it, write a message into the book, and then redonate it. And then I cried more, as I began reading it. The book is raw, and heartfelt, and full of hope. A good Christmas gift indeed. Happy holidays everyone!