My Parent Depot

I had presented one of my first talks to an audience of parents of addicts. I had been nervous, a bit unsure and certainly uncertain about what I could possibly offer. There was such pain in the room. What could I bring to this table?

As I made my way out the door one of these parents took my arm and asked, “Are you a writer?”

“Yes,” I answered after not quite a one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two count.

We all have stories to share, our experience, strength and hope fashioned from years of struggles and victories, destroyed optimism and endless, endless abandonment and renewal of faith in something – anything. It wasn’t until that Tuesday evening that I, a former English major, knew I might have a particular talent and voice that could benefit other parents who had begun their own recovery journeys while never turning away, in heart and soul, from the children who had brought them there.

My Parent Depot is a metaphor for a place where we can all rest, and take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re going. It is a place for gentle sharing and anonymous, safe commiseration among we few, we band of brothers, and sisters.

My Parent Depot can also be the site where we can all share the joys and happiness we find along the way as we become midwives to the rebirth of our own lives. You may be at the “Depot” now but the possibilities of where you can go are endless. Some of you might be at the beginning of your journey, beaten by your son or daughter’s addiction. You don’t know where to go, to whom or what to turn.

You’ve come to the right place.

Here I hope you will find roadmaps, resources, pathways, laughter (yes … LAUGHTER), and broad shoulders to share some of your sorrows, fears, joy, victories.

You may feel the presence of someone who has sat next to you as you might at an airport or train station. Share as much as you like with your fellow travelers, or simply listen to the ambient din of the conversations that surround you. You might find one or two that could brighten your day or lighten your burdens. You might even hear someone shares stories of living life despite the destruction wrought by their son’s addictions, their daughter’s using. You might just find the inspiration to try this, or to try that, to go there, or there, or even … THERE!

My Parent Depot is not a call for temperance, though you may be called to “walk the walk.” It is not a place that will stand for whining, though it will encourage sharing of experiences that might benefit fellow travelers. It is not a church, synagogue, temple or mosque, but you may be asked to tap into your spiritual roots and SEEK out your Higher Power, the Universe, God as you know him, or her, and give over the control YOU NEVER HAD to someone or something Greater than you. My Parent Depot is not an Oracle, does NOT have the answers or even profess to any such lofty conceits. My Parent Depot is a place of respite for parents of addicts. If you can take time to BREATHE and SEE you will find an endless supply of destinations on your journey to self realization and recovery.

What began as encouragement to “BREATHE, TRUST and LAUGH,” has expanded to “BREATHE, TRUST, LAUGH, SEEK, HOPE, LOVE, and SEE.” These are pathways for living our lives, for immersing ourselves in the lives the Great Creator has laid before us if we’re willing to take a few first steps.

Welcome to My Parent Depot. Sit down, walk around, explore, leave when you’re ready. But please …

…keep coming back.