Stepping Stones

Addiction is a stealth predator. Unrecognized, it will grow and flourish. Unchecked, it destroys.

Marilea Rabasa grew up in post-WWII Massachusetts in a family that lived comfortably and offered her every advantage. But they were also haunted by closely guarded family secrets. Alcoholism reached back through several generations, and it was not openly discussed. Shame and stigma perpetuated the silence. And Marilea became part of this ongoing tragedy.

From an unhappy childhood to a life overseas in the diplomatic service to now, living on an island in Puget Sound, Stepping Stones chronicles Marilea’s experiences, weaving a compelling tale of travel, motherhood, addiction, and heartbreaking loss. The constant thread throughout this story is the many faces and forms of addiction, phantoms that stalk her like an obsessed lover. What, if anything, will free her of the masks she has worn all her life?

An inspiring, poignant recovery story, Stepping Stones tells how Marilea took on the demons that plagued her all her life—and defeated them.

Author: Marilea C. Rabasa

Publication Date: June 16, 2020

Categories: Award-Winning, Memoir, Spring 2020

Description
About the Author

Description

2023 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Addiction and Recovery and Women’s Issues
2023 Firebird Book Awards Second Place Winner in Memoir
2023 Firebird Book Awards Third Place Winner in Nonfiction
2021 eLit Book Awards Silver Medalist in Women’s Issues
2021 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in Addiction & Recovery
2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Memoirs (Personal Struggle/Health Issues)
2020 Best Book Awards Winner in Health: Addiction & Recovery
2020 International Book Awards Finalist in Health: Addiction & Recovery
2020 CIBA Journey Book Awards Semi-Finalist

“An inherently fascinating and ultimately inspiring read from beginning to end.”
—Midwest Book Review

“The memoir is written in beautiful prose with insightful passages on life, suffering, inner freedom, and personal transformation. . . . I particularly enjoyed the honesty with which Marilea shares her story, pulling readers in with her strong, unwavering voice and exploring human nature and relationships with skill and mastery.”
—Readers’ Favorite

“This memoir, searingly honest in its description of substance use disorder, captures the cunning and relentless nature of the disease. Marilea says herself toward the end of her story, ‘Hell was not arriving at the road to recovery sooner,’ and one marvels as she points the way, after a lifetime of searching, toward reaching it.”
—Marueen Cavanagh, MPS, MED, founder and president of Magnolia New Beginnings and author of If You Love Me: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Daughter’s Opioid Addiction

“Stepping Stones is an authentic glimpse into the life of a woman afflicted with multiple addictions. With stunning candor, Marilea describes the toxic and ruthless nature of this disorder as it escalates over much of her lifetime. I admire this author’s courage in telling her painful story so eloquently.”
—Kathleen Pooler, author of Ever Faithful to His Lead and Just the Way He Walked

“Marilea Rabasa’s memoir will prove to be an eye-opener for many; and those who have known addiction may recognize its horrible descent into emotional and physical slavery. Read this book to meet a hero in search of her golden grail.”
—Denis Ledoux, memoirist and director of The Memoir Network

“Marilea’s journey weaves together critical pieces of her life; memories of heartbreak and triumph. This book offers compassion and understanding to every generation, reminding us to never give up hope!”
—Judy Herzanek, Director of Creative Development and Marketing, Changing Lives Foundation, and coauthor of Why Don’t They JUST QUIT?: Hope for Families Struggling with Addiction

About the Author

Marilea Rabasa grew up in a small Massachusetts town. Her marriage took her overseas, where she lived with her husband and children in the Foreign Service. After divorcing, she taught English as a Second Language in Virginia for seventeen years, and earned a Master of Arts (Reflective Practice) in teaching. She joined Story Circle Network in 2013; since then, her stories have appeared in several publications, among them the SCN anthologies, their journal, and their blog, One Woman’s Day. She has also blogged at www.recoveryofthespirit.com on the topic of addiction recovery since 2015. Marilea and her partner spend most of the year enjoying grandchildren, boats, and salt air on an island in Puget Sound. The rest of the year they live in New Mexico, where they grow produce for sale.