The wildfire that took our home in 2017 broke them, and they never recovered from it. My parents are in a constant state of fear. They panic at the slightest noise. My dad is checked out. He stares at his phone all day long and it's a struggle just to have an in person conversation with him. My mom tends to talk for him...and also talk over him. Every time I try to talk to my dad my mom interrupts. My dad and I went for lunch just the two of us and instead of having a conversation with me he stared at his phone.

The household energy was always dictated to what mood my mom was in, and she was never in a good mood. She's become exceptionally bitter and mean. Even her voicemail message is bitter and mean. She's in a constant state of panic. Every upset is devastating to her.

But I moved forward from the fire right away, and recovered from other traumas before and after that, and I just can't seem to understand why they let themselves stay in constant fear.