Concert pianist Mary Ellen Harnett marries lawyer Frank Lavelle and music is the sweetness that balances their challenging life events.  Four children include a younger son with an onsetting mental illness.  When they leave Washington, DC for Chicago, demanding commitments lead Mary Ellen into a lonely stress that begs for escape into alcohol.  An impressive Winnetka AA community brings her a new sober life that also inspires Frank to go to Hazelden. New challenges emerge, but they are stronger.  After Frank dies, Mary Ellen attends his 65th Harvard Reunion memorial service and finds these inspiring words written by Frank’s classmate Paulist Father Wilfred Brimley: “May those of us remaining be truth tellers and share our lessons learned.”