a look at it all from this side
I called my dad today. After many years of no contact, I attempted to make repairs with him starting about 2 years ago. He is unable to drink anymore because he has medications he must take, but I never rely on that as a guarantee that any addict will do as they're meant . . .
Anyway, what came to mind as I listened to him talk was that alcoholics really do change their entire physiology, that there truly is irreparable damage done. Even though he is sober now, there is not a chain of logic or meaningfulness, mainly a great deal of rambling, with some added suspicion of others. I do feel some sadness knowing that his creative and brilliant mind has changed not for the better, and that he really is better off living on his own in the country with a few pets than with contact with other people. I accept that he has found a way to make a sober life work and that is his choice how he does that, but I'm saddened all the same of what alcohol and addiction robs from each of us.