Monday, October 09, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, lived a man. The man lived within the kingdom and was known by all, but to himself, he was but a stranger. Everywhere the man went he was greeted by the others in the kingdom. He was a friendly sort, and proud of the fact that he had so many acquaintances.

Whenever the man sat with just himself, he was disturbed. He befriended amber liquids in bottles a plenty. With his friend, Amber, by his side, he was never left alone with just his thoughts, and the man felt "better".

One by one people tried to get to know the man, but Amber was a jealous and possessive friend, and she always won the heart of the man. Men, women and children came into the lives of the man, but Amber made sure the man stayed alone, impervious to the love of others.

Many people tried to convince the man that Amber was not a worthy lover, that Amber did not have the man's best interest at heart. The man would not listen. Time after time after time the man chose Amber over others.

Eventually the people that loved the man gave up. They knew the hold Amber had on him was stronger than their love. They tried to understand this, and not take it too personally, but it was hard for the people that loved the man. "How can something in a bottle, be more important than me?" the people thought.

With lots of help from books and wise advisors the people grew to understand Amber, and she at least lost some of the power in their own lives, if not the man's.

The man eventually died, with only Amber by his side. The man would have been 85 yesterday if he'd lived.

If he'd lived.

If he'd lived.

15 comments:

Ask Me Anything said...

So so sad. So proud of you for attempting to understand, heal, and forgive.

Suzy said...

Carrie, beautiful story, beautiful writing, beautiful you.
Love your wrting, love you.

Anonymous said...

thinking of yoou today

Jerri said...

Even after Richard's ministrations, the beauty of your outsides (while certainly substantial) gives only hints of the beauty of your heart and mind, Carrie.

I am holding you and your father in the Light this morning.

Peace.

Michelle O'Neil said...

Oh Carrie.....so beautiful and such smart writing.

You are awesome!

May he rest in peace.

kario said...

What gifts you brought to each other's lives. I'm sorry they caused pain and confusion, but I'm thankful for your insights and wisdom and your ability to write it all down for the benefit of others. Much love.

Nancy said...

Hard to write, harder still to watch. Keeping you in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

people usually do the best they can with the tools they have at the time...

Shelly said...

Wow! You capture VOICE beautifully, your own and the universal. Your writing continues to grow and make us all better. Thank you for sharing. It is such a joy to get to know you better. Thinking of you and your family.

jennifer said...

Love you and love this story. Nice work, my friend!

Anonymous said...

No joking around today from me or my posse...you are a lovely person and this is a great story! Thank you.

Anonymous said...

You know, the Genie is in the bottle...just saying...there's no way to understand the story of another...all we can do is try to unstick the fly paper of the BS off ourselves and find who WE are as ourselves instead of who we THINK we are based on being exposed to these sticky yahoo's!!!

Great courage, great work, nice to have some of that sticky off you??

Anonymous said...

You know, the Genie is in the bottle...just saying...there's no way to understand the story of another...all we can do is try to unstick the fly paper of the BS off ourselves and find who WE are as ourselves instead of who we THINK we are based on being exposed to these sticky yahoo's!!!

Great courage, great work, nice to have some of that sticky off you??

Writer said...

Beautifully written...that is exactly what happens with an addiction...it is an abusive love affair. It is like going back to a spouse that beats you...you know it is wrong for you, everyone else knows it is wrong for you...but you desire it over everything else.
Thank you for sharing such a painful part of your life. I know it is painful...b/c for a second I thought you were writing about MY Dad.

Love from MN

Anonymous said...

So simply stated and yet so real.
Beautifully written, FC.