Life is happening. It's not the drama and crisis of life with an addict. It is the life that we thought about before an addicted loved one changed everything we believed about our children.
Last night Alex and Kristy moved into a house they rented. Out of an apartment where the playground for Kristy's girls was a parking lot. It is a smaller place but "home" is what you make it.
Halloween is Monday. Mom told me that Alex and Kristy are taking the girls to Leslie's house and they are going to trick or treat with Brooke in her neighborhood. This will be Brooke's first year to realize that extortion and blackmail are legitimate and viable methods for obtaining sweet snacks. She already knows that manipulation works on PaPa and Grammy. Mom and I will be there to share in all three kids excitement and fun.
Brooke is 3 years old. I can't believe that little thing I am holding in our profile picture is now 3 years old. She is a big girl for 3. She wears a size 6x clothes and 13 shoe. Girl must have come from good stock. LOL
The newspaper interviewed me about nominating Susan for the MLB Play Healthy Award. The article will come out next week. I'll put a link to it when it is published. Something I told the person that interviewed me is something I have come to understand and work each day towards. "There is no silver bullet or magic wand that will end this addiction monster. Our only hope is hundreds and thousands of Susan's and parents reaching out and making a difference with one kid at a time." All I ask of each person reading this blog is: Each day try to "touch" one child in some way. Maybe it is your own that is struggling with active using or maybe it is a sibling, relative, or neighbor, Maybe it is some child you don't know in a school, church, a team or a club, just make an effort in someway. All it takes for evil to win is for the good to do nothing.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CONGRATULATIONS! Susan Mayberry
Tonight, The Partnership at Drugfree.org held their 25th Annual Gala and fund raising event. As a part of that event an announcement was made about the 2011 Play Healthy Award winner. This is an award sponsored by Major League Baseball, Major League Baseball Charities and The Partnership at Drugfree.org. This award is given to a single coach and a player from nominations of deserving coaches and players from across the nation.
Tonight in New York City at the Waldorf=Astoria, SUSAN MAYBERRY, coach of the Basehor Linwood Bobcats softball team was introduced and announced as the National Play Healthy Coaches Award Winner.
Susan's efforts in coaching and working with her players and students concerning the risks and dangers of drug use in the pursuit of success on the field and off the field made her a winner of this National Award.
I had the proud honor of nominating Susan for this award and she was chosen by Major League Baseball and The Partnership. I nominated her based on her initiative to bring the experience of drug abuse and addiction right into her classroom. Along with her efforts along with Ms. Knowles the drama teacher at BLHS in presenting "Under The Influence" play. You can read about our first hand experiences here:
http://parentsofanaddict.blogspot.com/2010/03/response.html
http://parentsofanaddict.blogspot.com/2010/11/tangible-outcome.html
http://parentsofanaddict.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-under-influence.html
The Play Healthy Award: http://playhealthy.drugfree.org/default.aspx
Congratulations, Susan. You deserve this honor and keep up the good work.
Tonight in New York City at the Waldorf=Astoria, SUSAN MAYBERRY, coach of the Basehor Linwood Bobcats softball team was introduced and announced as the National Play Healthy Coaches Award Winner.
I had the proud honor of nominating Susan for this award and she was chosen by Major League Baseball and The Partnership. I nominated her based on her initiative to bring the experience of drug abuse and addiction right into her classroom. Along with her efforts along with Ms. Knowles the drama teacher at BLHS in presenting "Under The Influence" play. You can read about our first hand experiences here:
http://parentsofanaddict.blogspot.com/2010/03/response.html
http://parentsofanaddict.blogspot.com/2010/11/tangible-outcome.html
http://parentsofanaddict.blogspot.com/2011/04/review-under-influence.html
The Play Healthy Award: http://playhealthy.drugfree.org/default.aspx
Congratulations, Susan. You deserve this honor and keep up the good work.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Writing On This Blog
It seems to get tougher and tougher to find things to write about on this blog about addiction. Addiction is no longer front and center in our life. We don't take a breath and hold it like it was so easy to do for so many years. We allowed addiction to consume our lives. I'm sure so many of you know that feeling and may still be living in that manner.
I don't know what tomorrow holds but for today I am going to be conscious of life today and enjoy the peace.
Sometimes I think hard about, "What really happened for seven years? What have I REALLY learned? How did we survive? What caused this change in our life?" I'm sorry but I really don't have any solid answers. This sometimes troubles me but I am trying to let go of my need for a concrete answer to these issues. I guess I have to learn with some things "it is what it is."
Now I am satisfied with just trying to relate our experiences to others. Hopefully, it will help them through the nightmare or it will persuade a young person not to follow a path to addiction.
The little things matter as we relate to our son. A, "thank you" that is sincere. A text message or phone call that isn't originating from a police station. Having an open change jar in our bedroom that is slowly filling with silver. Hearing the words, "Mom, I'll get that diaper." Watching him take responsibility with his own health insurance card. Some people not experienced with addiction may read this and think, "Big deal." Yes it is, it is a big deal.
My son is someone I enjoy being around. Couldn't say that with honesty a few years ago.
Where there is life there is hope. But isn't just about hoping for your son, daughter or loved one to stop using. That's certainly part of it but life is happening all around us and allowing addiction to steal life from us is a terrible waste.
I don't know what tomorrow holds but for today I am going to be conscious of life today and enjoy the peace.
Sometimes I think hard about, "What really happened for seven years? What have I REALLY learned? How did we survive? What caused this change in our life?" I'm sorry but I really don't have any solid answers. This sometimes troubles me but I am trying to let go of my need for a concrete answer to these issues. I guess I have to learn with some things "it is what it is."
Now I am satisfied with just trying to relate our experiences to others. Hopefully, it will help them through the nightmare or it will persuade a young person not to follow a path to addiction.
The little things matter as we relate to our son. A, "thank you" that is sincere. A text message or phone call that isn't originating from a police station. Having an open change jar in our bedroom that is slowly filling with silver. Hearing the words, "Mom, I'll get that diaper." Watching him take responsibility with his own health insurance card. Some people not experienced with addiction may read this and think, "Big deal." Yes it is, it is a big deal.
My son is someone I enjoy being around. Couldn't say that with honesty a few years ago.
Where there is life there is hope. But isn't just about hoping for your son, daughter or loved one to stop using. That's certainly part of it but life is happening all around us and allowing addiction to steal life from us is a terrible waste.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Fall Festival 2011
It was another great time for Fall Festival. The weather was warm and didn't resemble Fall at all but the leaves on the trees were turning yellow so that puts you in the mood.
The real positive was that it was warm enough for the babies to be outside so that enables the moms and dads to have fun outside too. If you want to see the pictures to Fall Festival check out the pictures link.
Fall Festival 2011
The real positive was that it was warm enough for the babies to be outside so that enables the moms and dads to have fun outside too. If you want to see the pictures to Fall Festival check out the pictures link.
Fall Festival 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Big Head Alert!
I just went to The Partnership's website and they have my 7 Truths essay highlighted on their Homepage.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Parents Help Line
If your looking for someone to talk to about your child using drugs or drinking The Partnership at Drugfree.org staffs a parent help line for you to call. This is not a 24 hour emergency line but a line staffed with clinical professionals that you can talk with to get info or make plans. This is a bi-lingual line.
Our Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ET. We are closed on weekends and holidays. The Helpline is not a crisis line. If you do not connect with a parent specialist, please leave a message and we will make every effort to get back to you by the next business day. If you are in need of immediate or emergency services please call 911 or a 24 hour crisis hotline.
Our parent specialists are licensed social workers and psychologists with years of experience helping individuals and their families prevent and overcome substance abuse problems.
1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373)
Our Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ET. We are closed on weekends and holidays. The Helpline is not a crisis line. If you do not connect with a parent specialist, please leave a message and we will make every effort to get back to you by the next business day. If you are in need of immediate or emergency services please call 911 or a 24 hour crisis hotline.
Our parent specialists are licensed social workers and psychologists with years of experience helping individuals and their families prevent and overcome substance abuse problems.
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