Child Of Alcoholic Seeks Loving Father Figure
My father wasn’t the trustworthy Dad I longed for and it affected me for years. Although he did love me, it was almost always from afar, where he was safe enough to not get attached to me. When he did get close, I was often the one who got hurt. When I was a kid, […]
Valentine’s Validation
A Valentine validation was what I wanted this year. Of course flowers and candy and nice, but sometimes knowing that you’re useful is the very best gift of all. This week I got two gifts that truly warmed the cockles of my heart. I have no idea what warmed cockles are, but I’m sure we […]
Do Excuses Keep You Caged
We’re often beating ourselves up over something that has happened in the past, believing that there is something wrong with our ‘gut’ or our intuition. If only we could use a magic wand to break free from our excuse for anything and everything that makes us unhappy. But, would we choose relationships in which we […]
Infertility & Codependency Wreck Mother’s Day
For years I struggled with infertility and grew to hate Mother’s Day. For many people, Mother’s Day isn’t a happy brunch with a sappy card. It’s sadness, regret, division, resentment, worry, and grief. Those are my people. Here’s why I hate Mother’s day. Years ago, a few well-meaning men from my small rural church said, […]
Better Than Wedding Vows: The Recovery Contract
In traditional wedding vows, partners promise to love and obey till death do they part, but who’s in a traditional relationship anymore? The CDC reports 1 in 10 people over 12 years old have used an illicit drug in the last month. Addiction changes the face of traditional relationships and families. How can today’s addiction-impacted […]
Why Children Of Alcoholics Become Over-Responsible
My brother Ricky called me, his big sister whenever he needed help. I threw on my hero’s cape and flew to his side. He had been taught there were no consequences to substance use. I was taught to be over-responsible for EVERYTHING. One time, after a night of binge drinking, he needed a ride […]