Thanks for inviting me to share. That's an important invite.

I'm cycling between good memories and very scary ones.
(I am not going to traumatize anyone here by sharing the frightening times, other than to share about this anniversary.)

The day I'd lost him was very overwhelming. I knew he was serious and had every intention of carrying out his threat. Nobody would listen -- to him, to me. I was frantic as the hours ticked by that day. I knew what was going to happen and could not do a damned thing about it.

The adults could have done something.

I was instructed, by the adults around me, to stop crying at my dad's funeral. When the funeral service was over, I was taken into a side room by 3 adults and was told there was no reason to be upset and to stop being upset before I could re-join the group. I was simply crying.

The truth is: They were not willing to listen to him when he was crying out for help again. They would not listen to me when I knew he was at his breaking point. They weren't willing to tolerate his young daughter's sadness about the tragedy/loss, either.

To this day, it's taboo to mention him. Even today.

The whole thing was "crazy-making!"

It's been many, many years and I am still very tearful.

Laurie is right. "Listen up!" We all know this, thankfully.

With Gratitude,


WC