46 Comments
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KW's avatar

I do not know of any other author that is even capable of transmitting the emotion, the heart, the heaviness of this. Blair, you are a blessing to all of us. Thank you for sharing.

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Blair Speed's avatar

It means a lot. Thank you.

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Dino Corvino's avatar

Holy shit! That is some fucking writing. I mean sure, I am a Twight fan. And I am sober. But Jesus that is some amazing writing. Wow. That sort of concentration and willingness from a writer, holy shit. Jesus. Man that is amazing writing. Way to go Blair.

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Guy Kesteven's avatar

I came here to say exactly this.

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Dino Corvino's avatar

I got your back bro!

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Blair Speed's avatar

Thank you, it really means a lot to me.

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Petar Babic's avatar

I did the exact same thing when I became a dad. My character simply doesn’t go well with substances, and drinks in particular. It took me a messy childhood and a blurry 20s decade to realize that I just don’t want my kids to remember that pH shift in the room that reeks of “the night before”.

I can also confess of being a Mark fan, which makes me all the more glad for both of you. May you live fully and happily, and may your lives keep inspiring us for years and years to come!

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Blair Speed's avatar

Petar, I’m glad to hear where your journey is at too. Thank you for sharing. 🫀

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john campbell's avatar

what a great news to read. I got sober when I was younger, and am still so today. life isn't necessarily better, just easier to navigate.

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Blair Speed's avatar

“Not better but easier to navigate.” 🫀

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Ian Strimbeck's avatar

As someone who had their entire childhood spited by an alcoholic dad, to then that dad going cold turkey and now being almost 6.5 years sober I felt this deeply and am immensely proud. No one understands how dark the darkness can be before the dawn. Thank you for your words and thank you for the reminder. 💕

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Blair Speed's avatar

Thanks for reading, feeling, and sharing back, Ian. I have been thinking of you and your dad lots recently. We never know where the journey will take us, so glad to hear about his own journey with sobriety and what they can heal and grow.

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Sean Fontaine's avatar

This is the good work that gives many of us the clarity to move forward.

2,606 days sober today

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Blair Speed's avatar

Great work, Sean. Love to read this.

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Luke Nelson's avatar

Amazing. Thank you Blair. Thank you Mark. 🫀🫀🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛⚡️⚡️🫀🫀

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Raymond Ansotegui's avatar

Blair, so beautifully versed. So happy for both of you. Those that are willing to find their way through the darkness, are honored with the gift of light, that they may use to show the path to others.

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Blair Speed's avatar

Thanks for showing and encouraging a path, Raymond. What a friend, what a human, you are. 🫀

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Seth Haines's avatar

Damn, this is good. Congrats to him on 365 days. Good on you for being the partner who walks with. And the words… you have a way with them. Keep writing (both of you), making (art and bodies), and walking up mountains (literal and metaphorical).

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Blair Speed's avatar

Friend. 🫀

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Rob M's avatar

Thanks for sharing the challenge and the ongoing accomplishment. Paraphrasing a blessing from my faith tradition: “Grant Mark an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love, and the gift of joy and wonder in all of the world.”

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Blair Speed's avatar

Rob, I love this, thank you for reading and sharing back. I have tried to more consciously approach discernment in the past year so I really appreciate these words.

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Phil's avatar

Thanks Blair, this was an inspiring piece, appreciated how you brought us in without too much invasiveness. So stoked for Mark (and for yourself, can’t forget the partners), I hate that alcohol enhanced parts of Mark that I have absorbed and pondered for so long and of which have shaped me. But again, these horizons just keep showing us that growth as a person sprout from the places you sometimes least expect.

PS: I’m an old follower and I wanted to thank you for the respectful insights into the 2024 schism, I have sat here in Oz confused to the dramatic changes, but this slither of info provided me with enough to let it lie now. Appreciate you 🙏🏽

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Blair Speed's avatar

Growth certainly can, what a journey it all is. 🫀

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Patrick's avatar

Wow.

Blair - I love your words and your ability to communicate so much with such depth!

Mark- you are incredible and always inspiring. Keep up the good work!

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Chris DeMuth Jr's avatar

Beautiful. Worth it. Even when there are ghosts and demons, they're better to slay sober.

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Blair Speed's avatar

This. Yes.

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Alex's avatar

Yay Mark!! I loved reading this — resonated with me on several layers.

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Blair Speed's avatar

Love you, Friend. Thank you.

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Jeremy Miller's avatar

This is beautiful

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Chris Shiherlis's avatar

Mark and I spoke about the oddity of being sober for us on his visit. Culturally speaking we both come from hard drinking tribes. Mark is ahead of me by 9 months and we didn’t know each other had gone cold turkey until dinner the first night. The best 2nd/3rd order effect is that Mark’s sobriety has positively affected others and will continue to do so. …..a true gift to his Tribe.

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Blair Speed's avatar

This. Yes. I am so grateful you all had time together. That you can share a new journey together too.

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