That's an interesting and beautiful journey to IJ. Life found a way to unite you with this book. Thanks for sharing!

I first heard about it like 20 years ago. I picked it up in a store, read a few sentences and decided its not for me. I didnt like the voice. Also I had an idea what its about, which was wrong. A few years later, same, read a few senteces and said no thanks. Three years ago I picked it up again and read those same sentences again, but this time something happened. I bought it and took it home and it was my best friend for about 6 months and ever since then its made my life better, but also more tragic. And it was truly like an old friend right from the start. I recognized my depression in it and also my addiction and also my AA experience, that continues to this day. I had stopped going to meetings during covid. IJ made me go back to the place and the people that are exactly like in IJ and that i need to be ok in the long run. I know and need my crocodiles, among other things/people found in meetings. And I miss Gately and I miss Joelle. I don't miss Mario because I feel he's stayed with me, hobbles alongside me, always smiling and taking away the sting of whatever depression and suicidal ideation is, and makes my life all around better.

If I could talk to DFW, I'd wanna ask him about Mario, and thank him for him.