New-gf glow and sun-soaked selfies hid Dad’s first subtle slide. I ignored my gut, but Ch. 19 won’t let me look away from the skid marks I pretended not to see.
Tag: addiction
Lies Louder than Truth: the Quiet Cost of Love
I swallowed the truth so Dad could heal; she cranked up the blame, too busy guarding her version to bother with his recovery.
The Mirror Shows His Face (And It’s Mine)
What if the habits I judged in my dad are the ones I’m building for myself? Writing is my salvation—but could it also be my cave?
Baptism by Floundering
From the edge of a boardwalk, o’er the Canal, where a new Barbie rod caught its first & last fish before being abandoned forevermore. (Cue the melodrama.)
Magic, Emotions, and Inherited Pain: Finding Self-Acceptance
What a sore tooth taught me about pain, self-worth, and why my emotions drive everything—from my magic system to my relationships.
O Me, O My: S’more Wallowing and Whingeing
I whinge worse than the backdoor hinge that guides my blind dog inside. Like my daddy before me, I wear my emotions like a second skin.
PostScript: Blame the Alcoholic, Too (I Do)
Dad’s drinking made him a target. By 2020, Dad was too vulnerable, too ripe for the picking, and she just couldn’t resist the temptation.
Watch Your Step: Monkey See, Monkey Do
After being told my Adderall dose was comparable to methamphetamine, I had a few decisions to make.
Late-Stage Alcoholism: The Gruesome Reality
Late-stage alcoholism destroys the human body. My dad’s medical records prove it; his death serves as a tragic warning to other alcoholics who stay the course.
The Obsessive Mind: a Curse or a Blessing?
I worry about the oddest things,…or the things that keep me up at night don’t seem to bother most people, which makes me feel bonkers.