TLP
Touching story.
I can relate to what you are saying, as I grew up in a in an abusive household. Fortunately I never turned to the bottle for a crutch, but it could easily have happened. My father was an alcoholic and had a violent temper. This went on day in and day out. Christmas to me as a child was seeing my dad stinking drunk and abusive toward my mother and all of us. Wasn't a very happy time growing up. In fact it was so bad right after work he went to the bar every day and didn't come home until closing. When he came home the fighting, screaming and him throwing mother out was common site. Numerous times I had to tell by brother and sisters (as I was the oldest) to get out and go to their grandmother's till things cooled off.
I have even stepped in to protect my mother, at age 12 yrs, I don't need to say what happended to me, but I think you can just imagine.
As I got older I voided I would never get like this. And I haven't. After leaving home for work, I remember deciding to go home one Christmas, and that was a not a good decision. The thing I remember from that was my grandmother saying to my father, You blew it, don't be surprised if you never see him again. He doesn't drink much anymore and has changed. Guess he finally way the light. The tension is still there, but not as bad. I think he trying to make amends, especially since he has grandchildren.
Well I have gone back home, but I have a lovely caring wife and two great children. My oldest daughter is married to a wonderful guy (her first husband was a jerk, had us fool at the start). I now have three wonderful grandchildren.
This time of the year is hard for me, but, from the support of all of my new friends, here, this seems to be one of the best I have enjoyed in a long time. Never has so much laughter before.
Just the comradre, laughter, and friendship that you all have offered is just over whelming. It is true there is a silver lining in a dark cloud. It is just a matter of time to find it. Sometimes it quick and other times it takes awhile to find. You people, each and everyone of you have been my silver lining. Thank you![Bow [bow]](/emoticons/icon_smile_bow.gif)
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Not knowing you TLP, I feel we share something in common. Hold on to what you have. You will be blessed many times over as you progress through the challenges of life. I have had many ups and downs while growing up, but I have matured, become wiser (sometimes still do a foolish thing that doesn't hurt anyone, but it adds a little spice). My whole family is behind me. My wife says its amazing I turned out the way I did with what I grew up with.
Woo hoo, I opened by SS present, it is a $R%T^Y&U* from D$DEF^&*(#. But I can say yet, Santa left a note saying I had to get picture of the model, with a pretty mugshot of me to go with it first. Oh oh, I hear the laughing now. ![Laugh [(-D]](/emoticons/icon_smile_newlaugh.gif)
![Big Smile [:D]](/emoticons/icon_smile_big.gif)
. Merry Christmas, to all my new friends and their families.
Sorry if I got long winded, but I felt I had to say this.
PaPa-John