The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I haven't been here for a few weeks and it has felt good to have a reprieve, to feel some peace. My dad has started calling me every day, says he needs a friend. That is ok, we talk and as long as he stays sane it is ok. But today he called and I heard that "cotton on the roof of your mouth" and my heart just stopped. He gets really strange when he is like that. I said I was really busy at work, that is where he calls me and I really was. He said he would call me tomorrow and it just scared me alittle bit. I don't want to go back down that road. He is very far away so normally I would email him after he calls each day. He calls to say he loves me and then we email once. I know it all sounds dependent really but I feel like this is a chance to have alittle bit of time with him. He disappeared for so long. Gosh, I know I don't make sense but I do. I love him dearly but his intermittant bleeps into my life are hard. There is so much he missed. I just want so much for him to be ok. I wish my family would talk to him and that things could be ok. But I am an adult and reality is not always that way. I have to be strong about this. He can be very distructive when he gets sick. He will go off the deep end and get paranoid or any number of things I am sure you are all familiar with. And it leaves me feeling so bad. I think this time I will just not search him out. I did not email him today after I got off the phone with him. I have tried to stay focused at work and not let it bother me. I am so grateful for where I am today. I would hate to be in that place he lives in, "in his mind". It is not a pretty place.
I'm sorry he is like that. Knowing your Dad is slipping and worrying about it hurts, but taking care of yourself is the best you can do for both of you.