When addiction first crept into our household 11 years ago, I started keeping a journal. Retreating to clean white paper became my refuge. The blank pages stared back, non-judgmental and welcoming. On their unvarnished surface I poured out my anguish, fear, confusion and shame. It was the only place – until many years later – …
My father used to call it a “Chamber of Commerce” event. He always said Mother’s Day was drummed up to boost candy sales and restaurant reservations. Father’s Day, too Growing up I sometimes wondered if he said that to take pressure off my brother and me from digging into our allowance to come up with …
The young man casts his eyes downward. He is seated in a folding chair, one of about twenty that form a large circle in the small church basement. His eyes seem to stare at the slogans pasted on tiny placards resting on the floor. Do others see him, too? He has been here before. He …