Dad! Your Burning Down the House
A Story About Living with an Alcoholic.34 total reviews
Comment from Aura Ryder
What a story! I'm so sorry you had to live with such worry for your dad and your family. You did a very nice job expressing how difficult alcoholism can be. I could completely feel the tug of war between loving the good, sweet father he was and his fight with the disease. Keep the good sweet memories close to your heart
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2025
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What a story! I'm so sorry you had to live with such worry for your dad and your family. You did a very nice job expressing how difficult alcoholism can be. I could completely feel the tug of war between loving the good, sweet father he was and his fight with the disease. Keep the good sweet memories close to your heart
Comment Written 04-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2025
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Thank you so much Aura for the kind words and great review. I truly appreciate that!
Comment from Aiona
This story of yours is so painful. It's instinctive to for kids to love their parents, even when they hurt them. :( He put you and your siblings lives at risk with his drinking. I almost divorced my husband too, for something similar. He's clean now. And just like you said...... he was the one who decided he needed to change. His father was exactly like yours. A functional alcoholic who worked for the Federal Reserve. He was a nice man, and I think he loved my husband too, but.... his drinking hurt the family also, and his mother divorced him. I didn't see any typos. If there were any typos, I was too engrossed in reading that I completely missed them.
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2025
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This story of yours is so painful. It's instinctive to for kids to love their parents, even when they hurt them. :( He put you and your siblings lives at risk with his drinking. I almost divorced my husband too, for something similar. He's clean now. And just like you said...... he was the one who decided he needed to change. His father was exactly like yours. A functional alcoholic who worked for the Federal Reserve. He was a nice man, and I think he loved my husband too, but.... his drinking hurt the family also, and his mother divorced him. I didn't see any typos. If there were any typos, I was too engrossed in reading that I completely missed them.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2025
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Thank you so much Aiona for the kind words and great review! I truly appreciate that!
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Hi, Harry. I realize there is a typo in the title. It should be "You're" instead of "Your" because it's a contraction of "You Are Burning Down the House." Right?
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Yes, you are so right. There wasn't enough room to put the whole title on there lol!
Comment from evilynne
Your story is well written and very sad. You were just a child, and it was horrible that you had to deal with your father's alcohol addiction. My stepfather was an alcoholic. I was in my teens when I had to deal with that. He was never violent and was a kindhearted man but most of our money went on alcohol; we found ourselves near homelessness several times. I understand your story all too well. Evi
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2025
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Your story is well written and very sad. You were just a child, and it was horrible that you had to deal with your father's alcohol addiction. My stepfather was an alcoholic. I was in my teens when I had to deal with that. He was never violent and was a kindhearted man but most of our money went on alcohol; we found ourselves near homelessness several times. I understand your story all too well. Evi
Comment Written 03-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 04-Mar-2025
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Well, thank you so much Evilynne for the kind words and great review! I am sorry you had to experience that as well. It can be tough.
Comment from Jim Wile
What a sad but well-told story about your father and the effect he had on the family. Alcohol abuse, and any drug abuse really, can be a baffling thing until you realize it really is a disease. That's not to say the abuser is totally blameless because, with effort, he could avoid it he just had the willpower to say no. But there definitely seems to be a genetic component to it making this more difficult for him.
I liked your definition of a working alcoholic. One of the characters in my current novel is a working alcoholic and fools herself into thinking she isn't one because she's able to work successfully.
What a kid you were, taking up the mantle of responsibility the way you did, looking out for your siblings and keeping an eye on your dad while your mother was at work. Very admirable, Harry.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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What a sad but well-told story about your father and the effect he had on the family. Alcohol abuse, and any drug abuse really, can be a baffling thing until you realize it really is a disease. That's not to say the abuser is totally blameless because, with effort, he could avoid it he just had the willpower to say no. But there definitely seems to be a genetic component to it making this more difficult for him.
I liked your definition of a working alcoholic. One of the characters in my current novel is a working alcoholic and fools herself into thinking she isn't one because she's able to work successfully.
What a kid you were, taking up the mantle of responsibility the way you did, looking out for your siblings and keeping an eye on your dad while your mother was at work. Very admirable, Harry.
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Well, thank you so much Jim for the kind words. This was a tough one to write, but felt the need to do so. I appreciate your great review too!
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
I feel for you. My own dad did not drink but he lost his mom when he was five so he lived with that pain. I knew it and felt like I wanted to rake his pain away. I would draw pictures of his mom and he'd cry.
I connect to your want to fix your dad's pain. That's love. That's why your dad hauled cement to show love too. Not everyone has the capacity to express themselves. Your dad did not but you do. You honor him by not holding it in.
I am sure what you struggle over is resolved already. I'm sure your dad is at peace and aware that you didn't know when he passed for instance. He is in a perfect place now with understanding and all he feels is the love he senses from you. You share it well here and although those were difficult things for a young person to live through, you are strong enough to share and to feel. Others are not. I enjoyed your loving story of your dad and your insight.
Best wishes,
Alex
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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I feel for you. My own dad did not drink but he lost his mom when he was five so he lived with that pain. I knew it and felt like I wanted to rake his pain away. I would draw pictures of his mom and he'd cry.
I connect to your want to fix your dad's pain. That's love. That's why your dad hauled cement to show love too. Not everyone has the capacity to express themselves. Your dad did not but you do. You honor him by not holding it in.
I am sure what you struggle over is resolved already. I'm sure your dad is at peace and aware that you didn't know when he passed for instance. He is in a perfect place now with understanding and all he feels is the love he senses from you. You share it well here and although those were difficult things for a young person to live through, you are strong enough to share and to feel. Others are not. I enjoyed your loving story of your dad and your insight.
Best wishes,
Alex
Comment Written 14-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Well, thank you so much Alex for the kind words and the great review! I truly appreciate you!
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You're welcome, friend!
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Roger that!
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:)
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:-) :-)
Comment from BethShelby
It is sad when someone becomes so addicted to alcohol that they make life miserable for those who love them. It was good your mother had you she could count on. Nicely written.
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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It is sad when someone becomes so addicted to alcohol that they make life miserable for those who love them. It was good your mother had you she could count on. Nicely written.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 14-Feb-2025
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Thank you so much Beth for the kind words and great review. I truly appreciate that!
Comment from Rea Keenan
Heartbreaking story told with clear-eyed honesty, Harry. I'm new to Fanstory and uncertain about how to do this rating system. I gave only four stars because of things like the story beginning when you were in 8th grade and how your dad began drinking a lot, but later, it says he drank three bottles of whiskey when you were six, so obviously he had been drinking quite a bit for years. Also, the title word "Your" should be "You're." In other words, the writing was good, but could have used more editing in terms of form. On the other hand, I am practically in tears as I resonate with your pain. So, your writing obviously communicated that with a wallop. I feel like a strict English teacher, urging more work on overall form so it can serve your piece even better.
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
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Heartbreaking story told with clear-eyed honesty, Harry. I'm new to Fanstory and uncertain about how to do this rating system. I gave only four stars because of things like the story beginning when you were in 8th grade and how your dad began drinking a lot, but later, it says he drank three bottles of whiskey when you were six, so obviously he had been drinking quite a bit for years. Also, the title word "Your" should be "You're." In other words, the writing was good, but could have used more editing in terms of form. On the other hand, I am practically in tears as I resonate with your pain. So, your writing obviously communicated that with a wallop. I feel like a strict English teacher, urging more work on overall form so it can serve your piece even better.
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
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Well, it wasn't the 8th grade. I was 8 years old. And if you notice, you can only put so many letters in the title. I could not fit the whole title in the box, that is why it says Your versus You're. You will learn. thanks for the review!
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Well, my mistake in reading comprehension!! Thanks for correcting me. I’ll change my rating.
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Lol! No worries. I will never win a Pulitzer lol...
Comment from Karen Cherry
You have my sincere kudos for surviving with your brains and good feeling intact. All are not so lucky. It was a tough tale to tell. I appreciate all the work and memories that were required. I am out of sixes. I am usually out by Tuesday. Karen
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
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You have my sincere kudos for surviving with your brains and good feeling intact. All are not so lucky. It was a tough tale to tell. I appreciate all the work and memories that were required. I am out of sixes. I am usually out by Tuesday. Karen
Comment Written 13-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 13-Feb-2025
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Thank you again Karen. I truly appreciate the kind words and your great review!
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U R Welcome. Karen
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Roger that!
Comment from Sally Law
My goodness, Harry, our likenesses continues. My dad died of alcoholism and lung cancer, but the cirrhosis of the liver had him ill early on. He died two weeks after I was married. Consequently, none of my family had ever met him.
He'd fall asleep with burning cigarettes in the ashtray and sometimes the ashtray was on his chest as he lay sleeping. I cannot tell you how many cigarettes I put out. My mother divorced him when I was four but they never truly separated until I was nine. A new beginning when mama finally the nerve to start over and break all ties with him. We moved to Florida.
An emotional write for us both, I'm sure. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sal
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2025
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My goodness, Harry, our likenesses continues. My dad died of alcoholism and lung cancer, but the cirrhosis of the liver had him ill early on. He died two weeks after I was married. Consequently, none of my family had ever met him.
He'd fall asleep with burning cigarettes in the ashtray and sometimes the ashtray was on his chest as he lay sleeping. I cannot tell you how many cigarettes I put out. My mother divorced him when I was four but they never truly separated until I was nine. A new beginning when mama finally the nerve to start over and break all ties with him. We moved to Florida.
An emotional write for us both, I'm sure. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Sending you my best today as always.
Sal
Comment Written 12-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2025
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Well, thank you so much Sally. I truly appreciate the kind words and review!
Comment from Dolly'sPoems
This is a very sad and touching story Harry. I am sorry you had to see your Dad suffer through alcoholism and it is a big problem these days. One of my neighbours years ago was an alcoholic and he still held down a job during the day but at night he would be wasted. I was friends with his wife and she eventually left him. Thank you for sharing this very personal story with us Harry, I am sorry for your loss, love Dolly x x x
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2025
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This is a very sad and touching story Harry. I am sorry you had to see your Dad suffer through alcoholism and it is a big problem these days. One of my neighbours years ago was an alcoholic and he still held down a job during the day but at night he would be wasted. I was friends with his wife and she eventually left him. Thank you for sharing this very personal story with us Harry, I am sorry for your loss, love Dolly x x x
Comment Written 12-Feb-2025
reply by the author on 12-Feb-2025
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Well, thank you so much Dolly. It was a tough one to write, but I just needed to do it. Thanks for your review!
