I said a prayer today to my dad. Or for my dad.

[catherine]

He died in 1970, on March 13.

The people who called my mother to tell her he had died told her she was lucky he had ID on him. Otherwise, he would have been John Doe #WhoKnowsWhat in the City Morgue. I was 18.

He was an alcoholic who dropped dead in the Bowery at age 43, leaving behind 4 children. One loved him. One dismissed him. One hated him. One didn't get the chance to know him.

Just thought I'd mention it--alcoholism is such a horrible disease, but I wanted to pay homage to the man.

[fidgiegirl]

Sorry for your loss, Catherine, even though you don't say which of the four you are.

[Valley]

I was blessed with a wonderful Dad...I wish you had been too! He made my dreams and possibilities real and my pains bearable. God bless you Catherine...and God bless your Dad and his love for you.

[Stella]

Adding my prayer to yours, for your dad, your family and all people struggling with addiction in one way or another.

[redfox]

Oh my dear... hugs. And to your Mom. My goodness, what a call to receive.

[Lainey]

Yes, underneath the addiction, there is a human being. I echo the prayers for every person who is overwhelmed by theirs, and for the families and friends who suffer the consequences.

[Zoebird]

It is always so heart breaking, to loose someone to this disease.

So much, we always hope that they will come through, pull through, and be their whole and vibrant selves again. And yet so often, this is not the case.

In the past, psychologists used to believe that a person would work through their grief in 5-7 years. THese days, according to more information and insight, they have acknowledged that a person may grieve in different ways throughout their lives, and that marking the person's day of death -- even in a passing remembrance -- shows the 'mark' of the grief of the one living.

And of course, as we know, grief is a mark of love.

[puglogic]

Catherine, sending my best to you. I've lost many people to substance abuse, people I loved with all my heart.

[Wildflower]

Both of my grandfathers, my parents, my uncle, my cousin, and my sister all were alcoholics. I've seen many a life destroyed by this disease, sadly....

[ctg492]

I give my thoughts to you today and your father/family. I am sure you have come through many stages of anger/grief/acceptance. Sadly Alcoholism and Addiction that until it hits one in the face, we really do not know or understand that it is not just a choice, it is a disease.
I understand now, my son is in Recovery today for Addiction. I have and still am going through all the phases of a loved one. I am working hard as I am sure you have done to reach a point that we did not cause it, we can not control it and we can not change it.
May peace be with you today my friend.