Posted in Children, Guilt and Shame, Parents and Siblings on Nov 21st, 2009
My father stopped drinking when I was 13. I’ve never felt that he owed me an apology. Except maybe for keeping his secret. As a child, we all just want to fit in. I’d go to school and NOT hear stories of other children’s fathers missing dinner and arriving home well past midnight drunk and [...]
Posted in Children, Parents and Siblings, Spouses on Jul 23rd, 2009
When I was about seven, I found out what adoption meant. My cousin was adopted as an infant. I was jealous. She’d been taken by a family who wanted her. I decided for a short while that I had been adopted. It was a fantasy I hung onto – an explanation of sorts, the kind [...]
Posted in Parents and Siblings on Jul 17th, 2009
I’m still incredibly angry at my brother for his drug addiction. The level of my anger is probably equal to that of my pride in him for asking for help, taking rehab seriously and getting himself clean. Every day I say a little prayer he continues to find the strength he needs to stay sober [...]
Posted in Parents and Siblings on Jul 13th, 2009
I was in elementary school when I discovered my mother had interests besides being my mom. She was offered her old job back, the job she’d quit to raise a family. She labored over her decision. I did too. I knew latch-key kids and didn’t want to be one. I liked walking home from school [...]