Reviews from

Shaking the Family Tree

Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "Family Ties"
Excerpts from addition to recovery.

13 total reviews 
Comment from Brett Matthew West
Excellent
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Addiction to alcohol can be very tough and not just on the drinker, but also on those around them. The opening paragraph illustrates this point to a tee.

 Comment Written 15-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 16-Apr-2018
    Thanks for reviewing.
Comment from apky
Excellent
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Thank you for this long recall of your family history. I enjoyed the engaging narrative and learnt much from the in-between poems you injected about addiction and substance abuse, particularly what devastation it come have in a family for generations.

I like the imagery of your grandmother being an angel only lacking the wings. Well put.

...a big smile and a line of bullshit - another expression of ours that I adore.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018
    Thank you for following. Additional chapters will be shorter.
Comment from Harry Smith
Excellent
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As soon as I saw your profile picture it reminded me that I have read your work in the past and how much I enjoyed it. I like the picture selection and I was not disappoint with this chapter that was outstandingly well written with plenty of imagery and emotions. I look forward to reading more.

 Comment Written 14-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 14-Apr-2018
    Thank you for the kind review. Iwill try and post a chapter once a week. Snd will try to make them a bit shorter. Thsnks for following
Comment from Artasylum
Excellent
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I LOVED this story. It caught me with the first word and didn't drop me off until the last. Brilliant. I have a very similar pathology with my family... My father was the rage and raging alcoholic and my mom a paranoid schizophrenic. Thanks for this. I've been writing a book on my crazy life and every time i start typing on the keyboard... I cry and my fingers type without me there. thanks again. yours, diana

 Comment Written 13-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2018
    It is a difficult process to relive the pain but at the same time writing about it sometimes allows us to have a slightly different perspective now that we are removed and it no longer has as much power over our lives. Don't give up but take a break when you need it.
reply by Artasylum on 14-Apr-2018
    Writing about all sorts of things in life are so important. yours, di
Comment from Spitfire
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I just realized the children are doomed from the start. If one or both of the parents drink, it can affect the fetus. They are already born addicted or prone to it, I would guess.

Most interesting:Although he wasn't unkind, he was rigid, quite proper and aloof; a textbook example of the oldest sibling of an adult child of an alcoholic.

Knowing this, I wouldn't be inclined to judge them so harshly as I sometimes do in my mind.

It's wonderful that you mix the good memories with those that caused you pain. It is a disease not easy to cure.
(I say this while I gobble down chocolate chip cookies and think about replenishing my supply tomorrow. sign... the weight scales are trying to cure me.)

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2018
    Thanks Shari, for the great review and bonus star. It always means so much when they come from such a good writer as yourself. Sugar is my failed recovery. It is a constant battle. Last night I had a gigantic chocolate chipper myself. They were two for the price of one but I gave the other to my nephew so I wouldn't be tempted. Thanks again for following. Will try to make the next chapter shorter. they have been a bit too long. May divide them into two parts.
reply by Spitfire on 13-Apr-2018
    Shorter ones would work for me, although the content is so interesting, that I'm in for the ride.
Comment from G.B. Smith
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level


Hey there Dallas
I have been sober since 1978. I say that because I know what it can do for you. I was never abusive, just a fun drunk. I know the abuse because my father was bipolar and would beat the crap outa me often. I vowed NOT to be him. This was a long sucker; having said that it is a superb usage of words and a wonderful flow
Bear

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 13-Apr-2018
    Thanks for the great review, Sheri. Sugar is my constant addiction. Had a gigantic chocolate chipper last night. Gave the other one away just so I would'nt eat it. A never ending battle for me. Thanks again for the bonus star. They always mean
    So much when
    They come from an accomplished writer.
Comment from JDRBAR
Excellent
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I will give this five stars because it is well written and to the point. However, it is far too long for a good review. I barely made it through it although the subject matter was of special interest to me.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2018
    I agree. Any future chapters this long I will divide into two parts. Thanks for the review.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
Excellent
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Alcoholism is a terrible disease. I have seem the effects of it on many families. There is no way to stop the abuse of alcohol because prohibition didn't work. There will always be a problem with alcohol. It is a weakness that is hard to fight. Great essay Dallas. Nancy

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2018
    Thanks, nancy.
Comment from Pamusart
Excellent
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El-Munson is my friend. He is the artist of your image. I think addiction runs in my family as well. Nothing current, so, not that bad. Nine of us and no addictions at present. Mom was an alcoholic who tried to hide it with breath mints. Cigarettes are the same way. I quit and ten months later thought I could smoke just one cigarette. I was wrong and got hooked again. At one time, nine of eleven in my immediate family smoked. We all quit,
But one sister went back to it. Nice job. I liked your poems. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2018
    Thank you for reviewing. You are fotunate to have only had 1 family member affected by alcoholism.
reply by Pamusart on 12-Apr-2018
    Five. Mom, sister and two brother. With me it was qualudes. But not for that long and 39 years ago.
reply by the author on 12-Apr-2018
    I had a two year romance with Obedren L.A. A diet pill they called tlem black beauties
    . It was hell to come hell to come off of and I never did more than 1 aday. Thanks for following. Will try to keep the next chapters shorter.
Comment from Elizabeth Joanne
Excellent
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This is some wonderful insight on alcoholism and family ties that many do not understand. The title is perfect as well. Your work here is wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 12-Apr-2018


reply by the author on 12-Apr-2018
    Thank you for following. Look for a new chapter every week. Will try and make them not so long.