365 Days of Impacts

We all have family dysfunction. Some families have more FUN in dysFUNction than others. I personally know many people who have families that could qualify for an episode of Jerry Springer. I myself have lived through some Jerry Springer moments in many different factions of my family. We all do. You know it's bad when your friends say 'Girl - you can't make this stuff up!' But let me say, if you ever want to check yourself before you wreck yourself- you need to watch the show SHAMELESS. You will feel better about your family immediately.   If you think your dad is an alcoholic deadbeat dad that is abusive, you have no idea how bad it could really be - you definitely need to watch this show. If you have a daughter that you think is a thankless, ungrateful nymphomaniac, you need to watch this show. If you have a son or daughter who may be struggling with his/her sexuality, you need to watch this show. If you have a son who you fear is going to get a girl pregn...

Since we are talking addicition, probably the most impactful addiction on my life has been alcoholism. In 2018, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), more than 80,000 people die from alcohol-related deaths each year in the United States. And alcohol continues to be one of the nation’s most preventable causes of death, second only to tobacco and a poor diet/sedentary lifestyle. Alcoholism has a profound effect on the entire body, especially the brain, heart, pancreas, mouth, liver and immune system. In spite of its negative impact, more Americans than ever before consume alcohol on a regular basis. As you have read in previous blog entries, both of my grandfathers had issues with alcohol. This is something that I have taken in and lived with.   Many of my family members suffer with this on many levels. I have attended AA, Al Anon, learned the 12 steps, met sponsors, chips, the whole 9 yards. I have learned to love my family members through this. ...