My Father pt.2
My father quit drinking when I was 4 years old, and started going to AA - he actually took me along for the anniversary meetings sometimes to hear the stories of people who'd made their first month, their five years, or to whichever milestone they'd made it to. He led the meetings and would share stories of his own as well which helped people feel more comfortable coming up and talking themselves.

I grew up hearing - often with brutal honesty - the stories of people who had hit bottom and pulled them selves back up, with the help of family, AA, and for some - "their higher power" (whatever that meant to them) - but always the first step was acknowledging - emotionally and completely - that yes, they really did have a problem. That they needed help.

It was educational in ways I'm not sure I can explain, as it's so inherently part of me now that it's hard to put into words, but when I see people today who cannot face their problems, who cannot - for fear, or pride, or sheer stubbornness - cannot admit they're wrong and they need help - I sometimes wish more people were raised in AA meetings, and were able to see how much of a good thing it is to admit there is something wrong that needs to be fixed, and to take responsibility for it and move forward - what true greatness was achieved by so many who were at such low points not so long ago...

I'm really glad I got the chance, both for myself - and for the time it gave me with my father - who is an amazing man and who (eventually - after 40 years of pain and avoidance) opened his heart and let himself care, despite what his abusive father and shit upbringing had taught him, despite what the whole world had taught him - and that having to drink was out of his control, to admit that This Was Not Right and that he had to change, he had to get better, that he had a problem.

He never hid from me who he had been, and he never pretended to be perfect, I don't think he even really thought he was that great a person after he stopped drinking and got his act together - but he is a great man and I'm truly grateful to have him as my father.

I've written a funny story in another post about him leaping off a cliff when drunk - and there are plenty more stories like that I've learned over the years - another (so this post isn't completely maudlin =)) was when my dad was pulled over for driving drunk and in an effort to impress the cop and hide his drunkenness, my father decided to get his wallet out and have his license and registration all ready to go like a good citizen...

Leaning against the door so he could get his buttock up off the seat and get the wallet out of his back pocket - he left a definite impression on the officer - who opened the door on him and watched my father fall out of the car and onto the street entirely before even getting to say "Hello, Ossifer".

But as my father says "That cop didn't do me any favors. He helped me up, gave me a warning - and sent me home - and I was able to pretend for a little longer that everything alright and under control."

To my father, a man who'd prefer to have been busted for DUI rather than not - if it only meant he could have figured out he had a problem that much sooner.

He's a good man, and he taught me so much, I couldn't be prouder of who he is today.
( Allisade would love to hear from you, Wed 2 Mar 2011, 23:24, 7 replies)

Fuck anyone that may moan about this being a 'comedy' site,
I like this a lot.
( scarpe We Stole Bikes, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 8:45, closed)

Clicky - good story
( enoughblueskyforsailorstrousers, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 8:56, closed)

i liked this and this is why i like b3ta
(Cov Boy, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 9:49, closed)

^^ This

( splorp ®, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 15:28, closed)

Yeah
Good tale, well told.

Actually if you go to the QOTW FAQ. It actually says anything goes, just don't be boring. This isn't boring so the jobs a goodun.
(bROKEN aRROW PUA HVI Master, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 10:40, closed)

Has he ever fellated your pet dog?

( Dr. Shambolic je suis charlie, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 10:56, closed)

I like
*click* and with Scarpe on this.
( Trollman, Thu 3 Mar 2011, 10:59, closed)