Basking Ridge Author Shares Recovery Journey In New Book

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Basking Ridge author is sharing her recovery journey in her newly published book, "The Tree Within: A Journey Home," in hopes of helping others.

Katherine Rodriguez, Founder of HRS Event Design, began working on her book after going through a recovery phase two years ago.

"After nearly two years away from much of my public-facing creative work, I began writing about the quieter experiences that reshaped my perspective. The Tree Within grew from that period. Through the imagery of trees, roots, and changing seasons, it explores recovery, belonging, family, boundaries, and learning to notice the ordinary moments in life," said Rodriguez.

During her recovery phase, Rodriguez said that is "when all this emerged because I was finally seeing things as they are. I was finally seeing the real thing without having any alcohol in my system, without having anything whatsoever, because I used to kind of numb myself like a working alcoholic."

She described enrolling herself in detox after a friend called her early in the morning and confronted her about her drinking.

She said she later continued treatment, attended AA(Alcoholic Anonmous) meetings, and also sought care at Rolling Hills in Manchester while trying to better understand her depression and earlier life experiences.

Rodriguez said the book is not simply a biography. She described it as an observational work that includes parts of her own story and looks at how people can grow through hardship.

The root of her book came after spending time in a park. She watched trees move through the seasons and connected that cycle to her own life.

She noted that people, just like trees, have roots.

"We are not our roots. We don't choose them. The tree doesn't choose its roots, but it grows. It grows away from the roots. That doesn't define who they are," said Rodriguez.

She recalled coming from a very struggling life.

She grew up without a mother or father. It wasn't until Rodriguez was an adult that she learned her father wasn't her father.

Her father never knew that Rodriguez knew the truth. Instead, she pretended. He died without ever knowing the truth.

"Anybody would have thought I would have been a drug addict out in the street. I didn't have family or nothing. But I chose differently," said Rodriguez.

Now two years sober, Rodriguez is hoping her story will help others.

"I feel like there are a lot of people that can benefit from this book. And if I help one person, for me, it is worth everything that I'm doing," said Rodriguez.

Proceeds from the book are tied to a larger goal.

Rodriguez wants to create what she called a "Zen home" for women who need a short break and support without entering a long-term program.

She described a place where women could step away from daily pressures for a few days and focus on themselves.

Author Gathering

Rodriguez is planning to share her book with readers with an author gathering on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Brown Sugar Cafe, 177 Washington Valley Road, Warren.

"I call it a gathering because I don't want it to be too formal. I want people to feel at ease," said Rodriguez.

It is $35 for gathering admission with a signed book and $15 for additional guest admission without a book.

For information or tickets, visit tally.so/r/Y5LEpB.

For those who can not attend the gather, readers can preorder the book by visiting tally.so/r/b50Br1.

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