Summary

In the chapter “Remnants,” Lamott begins by describing how her friends had helped her through her decision to stop drinking by telling her the truth about what to expect. They taught her that no matter how hard her life got she did not need to go back to drinking. These friends also shared with Lamott that her best shot at being happy was to dedicate her life to helping people. Lamott writes that they also taught her to pay attention to life around her but not so much as to what was going on in her mind.

Lamott goes on to describe some of her friends and her belief that some of them have been assigned to her because of their special talents. Bonnie, for instance, answers Lamott’s tough spiritual and parenting questions. Another friend, Neshma, sews.

As Lamott continues to tell her...