An Eclipse of the Soul

My name is Rafel bat Sura and I'm an alcoholic. I'm also Jewish and come from a relatively lax "conservadox" background. My first encounters with alcohol occurred at family celebrations: weddings, bar mitzvahs, Passovers. Alcohol was a magic drink that turned dour people into happy ones, ended family feuds, and left enemies weeping and embracing. Never mind that the dourness, feuds, and animosity returned the next day. Alcohol had magic; adult or child, you were allowed to relax and be silly if you'd "had a little too much."