Hindsight

I recall a conversation I had with my sisters and brother a number of years ago. We were talking about our kids. As I shared with them about Mikael’s recovery journey, I remember saying that I wouldn’t wish being a parent of an addict on anyone. And here I sit now, thinking I would gladly be that parent again. Being a parent of a child battling addiction is not anything we ever anticipate so of course, there is no advance preparation. No studying for the test! I felt the pain of Mikael’s lows and the joy of his achievements. My heart wanted healing for him so badly. I ached for him when he faced the disappointment of relapse and felt hope with him when he was clean and spiritually growing. I didn’t share that much with others about what it was like, there were only a few close friends that I talked to about any of it. Now, living with the loss of his presence, I find that I share regularly. I mean, that’s what this blog is mainly about isn’t it? Talking about grief, sharing the journey. So, my hindsight learning is that I should have had more conversations about addiction. What I can do now is encourage other parents to have those conversations.