inthedougout

  My parents and I have a complicated relationship, at best.  The details of that relationship are too much to post here publicly and, frankly, they are far too embarrassing.  But if I don't share some  details, this post won't make any sense. The filtered, adulterated version :  I come from a long lineage of substance abuse.  Fortunately for me, I have been able to break the cycle, but that doesn't mean that I haven't had my life completely upended by it.  There were forgotten birthdays.  Credit card debt.  And a host of other things a "healthy" parent wouldn't do to a child. The relationship now is particularly complicated.  My father passed away a number of years ago.  My mother is alive, but in an assisted living facility.  The basis of our relationship consists of her asking me to make purchases for her so that she can regain material possessions that were lost to bankruptcy and eviction. I have been putting off thinking about this for a long time.  I