Of Paper and Stone

By Siobhan Jae Riley

In the book, Of Paper and Stone, Siobhan Riley describes her journey of loving her sister who struggles with alcoholism and recovery using stories and memories that are compared to the elements of stone and in some cases paper. The process of coping with alcohol induced illness, recovery and showing love through it all can be compared to the elements of paper and stone, both strong and beautiful.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664203679

Siobhan Jae Riley

Readers will be interested in this book title and author as she has experienced what it is like to love someone who is an alcoholic. She can also provide insight on the feelings that may be present when trying to navigate the difficult course of relapses, when children are involved and how to take care of yourself in those difficult times. The unique presentation of these feelings compared to stone and in some cases paper makes the story feel more personal.

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Copyright © 2020 Siobhan Jae Riley.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

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without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author

and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy

of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names

of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International

Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by

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ISBN: 978-1-6642-0366-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0365-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0367-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020916381

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/01/2020

CONTENTS

How Many Stones Do You Have in Your Backpack?

Cycles

Made of Paper

Standing Stone

Grandpa’s Words

Stone Tears

Gargoyles

Eight Stone

Stoning the Guilty

Cobblestone

Debris

Stones of Hope

The Twelve Steps

Boulders of Support

Stone Solid Love

Ebenezer Stones

And the Stone Was Rolled Away

Headstones

Being Earthen

Adamant

About the Author

To Morna, whom I adore for her spiritedness

and bravery, and thank you to my husband

and my lee-lee granddaughters for their

support and light in an ever-changing world.

My best friend’s brother died at the age of fifty-six. His life had been difficult. As a child, he was molested by a relative, and the pain and shame that followed led him to a life of isolation and alcoholism. The only thing my friend wanted was that her brother could have a second chance and accept the Lord. In the intensive care unit, with labored breathing and tears, he did just that. My friend’s brother was gone, leaving an empty space in her heart. After his death, she told me that I should share his story with my sister; maybe she would learn from him.

My sister is also an alcoholic, and we have faced many challenges and many ups and downs. My friend and I want those second chances. We pray for them. Having talked to others, I think that’s what we, as the families and loved ones of addicts and alcoholics, want most. We wish for them to take the path back to sobriety and stay there. The journey for my sister and me has been strewn with paper and stone. And therein lies my testimony—a testimony of faith, belief, and heartache, but through it all, God was there. I hope my story can help heal a piece of someone’s heart and that it touches someone enough to lead to a second chance or a third … maybe more.

I’ve learned along the way that addiction is all around—that it isolates, it destroys, it separates, it wounds, and often, it kills. Addiction works to erode forgiveness, grace, and mercy. It tugs at families, creates lies, blurs the lines between love and hate, and bankrupts society both emotionally and financially. To love with boundaries is tough, but I believe love does remain part of the equation. It’s the first page in a book that marks the beginning, and it is there on the last page that bears a witness to the end. Like paper in a book, it’s a combination of the words and thoughts written there that define what it really means and how it affects us.

When I first realized that my sister was an alcoholic, I had no idea how deeply attached to the addiction she was and how difficult the journey would be—not just for her but for all of us. We would move mountains and roll away stones if it meant that she could be free from the addiction.

I once heard that every story should start with a prayer. The prayer I offer was not penned by me; it comes from a sermon on Psalm 51:1–20, given by Douglas Scalise of Brewster Baptist Church on August 8, 2010. His prayer to the congregation that day reads like this:

Mighty Lord, Savior and Friend, change our hearts from hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh. And let them turn to you, Lord, as flowers turn toward the sun. When we are filled with hatred, fill us with your love. When we are complacent about your love and goodness, incite us to a closer discipleship with you. When we are following the wrong path, direct us into your way. When we are stubborn and closed-minded, open us to the influence of your Holy Spirit. When we are selfish and think only of ourselves, give us generous hearts and willing hands. When we are angry, fearful, and mistrusting, show us your peaceful presence. Help us, O Lord, to continually put on the mind and heart of Jesus, to whom we dedicate our lives. Amen.

In each phrase of this prayer, I can feel the significance. I understand what it means