NOTE: SORRY this is WAYYYYYY late :C My brother and his girlfriend bought a car! YEAH! So I had to drive them to get it, and all that blah blah blah, so YES! That cut into my stamp stuff.
Today is my father’s birthday.
We are meeting up with him to take him out for dinner.
Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but I haven’t seen my dad in 3 years. Dinner is a HUGE deal. Haven’t seen him since the Christmas before Alexa got sick. He hasn’t seen her ONCE. That is a long time. He always worries about his bar room friends dying, but never cared enough to see his own granddaughter when she got sick. I can’t forgive that. I still have his Christmas gifts wrapped for all the past holidays. My dad is much older than my mom by 15 years. We aren’t as close as we should be. He is getting up there, and I don’t want to keep letting the years pass, until the next time I see him I’m planning his funeral.
My dad was IS an alcoholic, and continuously chooses that life over one with our family. It’s hard to explain. I’m the only one who chooses to distance myself from that. That also means I’m the only one less affected by his disease. I won’t get into all the drama that living with an alcoholic can do to a person. If you have been there then you already know. He was just never there for me- ever. Lots of broken promises. Who knows, by the time everyone reads this there may even be another “excuse” to NOT meet. I almost expect that! Sad isn’t it?
My dad’s years are catching up with him. He has no relationship with my children either. I don’t think he even really cares about that. I have a lot of anxiety about our meeting today. I want to see him, but his life makes me so sad sometimes. Mainly because he chose the bottle over us my entire life. He likes his life. I wish he at least regretted everything, but he doesn’t. Holidays come & go and he has all kinds of plans with his bar friends. He is happy that way. A loner of sorts.
It is his many mistakes as a parent that make me strive to be a “super mom”. My mom was and is super mom. She always “did it all”. I always knew I could count on her. I think she was forever trying to make up for what my dad didn’t do, or lacked. I knew if my dad DID show up somewhere, Id most likely end up getting embarrassed. My mom was married to him for so many years, yet she was alone. She never even realized it. That is just so sad to me.
Anyway, I hope it goes well. I want to get some photos. I don’t have any really.
SO here is my card for his Birthday, and the Sketch for today
If you are uploading to a gallery use keyword mytimess11
One person
I ALWAYS go to Father Knows Best for my guy cards. Its perfect. I had to add the little wise owl in the tree. I used some of my dad’s favorite colors. This is dark chocolate, Kraft, vellum, and teal. The “leaves ‘ are cut & colored bridal confetti. So pretty.
This sentiment, to me was what I wanted to convey to him. No matter what, he matters to me and my family. I think he feels like a failure at times, that his life didn’t go as planned. In the end it doesn’t matter, you need to try to pull together with family.
Anyway, my sentiment is from a favorite set of mine-Out on a Limb sent. set . I love how the flourish from Silent night draws your eye to it.
Thats it for now. I’ll share photos of our dinner tomorrow, and the card I made for my brother to give to my dad.
Thank you all for coming here to visit me. Sorry to be such a downer today. I never know when this stuff gets dredged up! YIKES! Oh well, feels good to get it out there.
I hope you get a chance to play and check in on the Sketch Team!
Till tomorrow 😀
55 Responses for "Dad (saturday sketch)"
Lauren,
I hope he showes up, and that you can enjoy your time together!
I have found Blogging to be a venting therapy for me, and this post hopefull gave you some release!
It is good to get it out there and even if no one reads it, just know you let some of it go!
I will say a prayer that this day gives all of your somthing for the future, be it closeness, healing, or just a good time together!
Thanks for sharing, I am so proud of you that after that kind of a childhood you pushed past it, and have become the wonderful, caring, kind, passionate person you are today!
That makes your accomplishments that much more wonderful!
Have a great Day Lauren!
We all Love You!
Heather
I can SO relate to your story. My Dad was also an alcoholic until the day he died. He was a bit different than your dad though with a really tender heart & a desire to see his kids when he could. However, my life was a lot like yours – with a dad who was never there for me – always lots of excuses. So sad. I’m glad you have broken out of that life & don’t care to be around it. I know it’s made you a much happier, less depressed person & the kids certainly don’t need it either. Blessings on you & your visit with him. I pray everything will go well.
Hi lauren,
I hope all goes well with your meet with your Dad, I totally understand where your coming from, my mum was an alchoholic until the day she died, at the age of 49.
your card is wonderful, and the colours and image look gorgeous, what a perfect sentiment. take care, hugs rachxx
Hi, Lauren. We’ve never spoken/written before but I check your blog periodically because I admire you and your work so much. Anyway, your post today about your father prompted me to leave you a note to say I that I could have written your words. It is amazing how easily so many past years of hurt and disappointment can come to the surface. Alcoholism is a terribly toxic thing for families. It started for me at a young age and my mother chose her lifestyle over me. Sometimes the trauma can almost feel as fresh today as it did 20 years ago. But for the grace of God here I am. I didn’t have decent role modeling, and it took me 20 years to finally realize I had to end the relationship for my own good, and the good of my daughter, instead of thinking “if only…” about every aspect. It was such a poison to me and so unhealthy that I was losing my mind. It has been almost a year now and with the help of a good therapist I have come to realize that I do have a choice in the matter. That choice isn’t for everyone, but it was the right one for me right now. I know I have done all I can. I pray that you have Grace no matter what happens, and whatever your dad chooses to do is about him, and not about you. It took me a long time to truly believe that in my heart. You are a wonderful mother and wife and person and you are breaking the cycle. I know for me, knowing that is something that means so much to me. Take care of yourself. ~heidi
I hope your dinner goes well. You are a kind, generous, forgiving person and if this doesn’t work out you will have the peace of mind knowing it was not you who closed the door on the relationship. I have had issues with my Mom and it took me a long time to realize that if I wanted her in my life I needed to be able to accept her as she was and not always be hoping she would be who I wanted her to be. Take care and give yourself a big hug Ann Lind
Love your card, Lauren! Great colors and layers. I can definitely relate to what you are going through. My father and step-father are both alcoholics. My dad was never around after my parents divorced and there are many bitter feelings there still. I won’t even get into growing up with my step-father (alcoholic and emotional abusive). Luckily, I am one of the stronger of my sisters and I. I worry about my younger sisters (though they don’t live at home anymore) and my mom who is still there despite all the pleading to leave. I hope your dinner goes well. Big Hugs!
Lauren, Please enjoy your time with your dad. My dad was an alcholic and left us when I was in the 5th grade….we would talk on the phone occasionally, maybe once every couple of years. Being the daughter I always waited for him to make the first move. He died about 7 years ago….That was hard, I had always waited for him to make the move to get to know his daughters and his granddaughters…that never happened…I live life wishing I would have made the effort more and not waited….Not that we didn’t try…just wonder if I should a tried harder…He never got to meet any of his grandkids either…Died alone in his apartment….Sounds like there are alot of us that can relate….
Lauren –
I’ll be thinking of you today. I hope it goes well for you today.
Hugs and love,
Renee
PS. Your card is lovely.
I can’t even imagine having a father like that I am VERY BLESSED, I admire you for being a AWESOME MOM and an inspiration for all moms!!!! I think that each time you get that small hope that one day he’ll step up,yet each and every time he breaks your heart, I will pray for you and hang in there!!!!!
I always try to remind myself that what makes us worried and scared also makes me stronger. I hope all goes well but always remember you have your role as a parent to keep you content and happy.
Heather
You’re extremely courageous Lauren and I truely hope that dinner with your Father goes better then anticipated. I wish I could give you a huge hug to help erase all the unpleasant memories you have connected to your Dad and his drinking.
Your card is darling and I adore the look of the Kraft CS with the leaves blowing in the wind. I’m sure your Dad will be grateful, even if he doesn’t display his emotions.
XXOO ~~** HUGE HUGS **~~ XXOO
Isn’t it interesting (and a little overwhelming) how children try to live their lives better than the mistakes they had to deal with? My grandfather was an alcoholic and my dad works so hard to be the best he can be. I was blessed becuase of my grandfather’s bad choices and I think your children are too. Good luck today.
I love your sketch, so I’ll be back! 🙂
Hi Lauren, I hope your dinner & get-together goes well today. Take pictures to capture the day and for the childrens who may want to see Grandpa at a later date. Very pretty card….interesting that the tree is split in two… very symbolic I would say. You are a wonderful person, be strong and I will keep you in my prayers.
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for sharing. I grew up a lot like you only my dad was very abusive when he was drunk. I lived my life in fear, never knowing what to expect when he came home. I am still dealing with those fears as an adult. It is easier for me if I don’t see him. Sending cards to him has always been so difficult for me and my sisters. I am so glad that I have learned how to make cards, because it was always so hard to find a card that didn’t say something about always being there for me. Hope tonight goes well for you.
Hope your meeting with your dad goes well. I have to say I could of written your exact post even down to my mom.
My dad is now in a Nursing home because he probably is a bit older than your dad but he got to the point he can’t take care of himself and if he continued to drink it would just make things worse and that was the only way to keep it away from him. It’s kind of not the best lifestyle and he is now regretting just a little bit how he lived his life and he lights up so much more when I bring my kids by to see him….much more so when he was home and never really came out to see us the whole time we would be there.
I think it made me a stonger person.
Hugs and hope to read good news about your dinner
Susannk
Hope everything goes well with the meeting. Sometimes it s*cks when the people we love find ways to hurt us. That disease (alcoholism) causes so many problems for so many. So sad about that.
And the card you made is just beautiful and has a really powerful message without going overboard, you know?
So sorry to hear about your dad! My dad always did tons of stuff with me – more than my mom a lot of times. My husband however had a similar situation with his dad. I think that it’s wonderful that you have such a supportive man in your life now! Take care!
It’s such a cute little card–love the owl!! I know what you mean. I used to have such a hard time with my dad’s huge mistakes that seemed to “ruin my life” at the time, but it only hurt me to hold a grudge, so I’ve learned to let it go and move on. Hopefully we’ll have many more years together and keep the past in the past. HUGS!
Lauren,
Your card so SO beautiful (and thoughtful!).
I am sorry you have had to and continue to contend with such painful things in your family life. You are such a sweet person, I wish you did not have to deal with such things and your Pop realized how lucky he is to have a daughter like you and a wife like your Mom.
I wish you continuing strength and compassion that you have repeatedly demonstrated with so much grace. Hope all goes as you hope it will.
~Meredith
{{{Lauren}}} I’m praying for you, for your situation, for your father. Whatever happens at dinner – You Are Strong. I know you don’t know me, but I am proud of you for doing what you need to do to make a great life for your family. You are a super mom and a super woman. Be proud of where you are and continue to make the hard decisions that you absolutely must make for your own family.
i hope everything went well for you today! Your card is amazing as always!
Lauren~
I hope your father keeps his promise and at least shows for dinner. I pray the gathering goes much better than expected, and I pray that he is coherant. It’s inspiring to hear your conviction about doing everything you can to be a great mom. It’s evident that you are.
Keep your chin up. Can’t wait to hear how it goes. God bless.
Kristin
Wow…reading your post today Lauren was like reading about my own alcoholic father. Except my Mum is still with him….only she knows why. I pray your dinner will be good for you all. Thinking of you!
You broke the cycle by marrying a wonderful man. As difficult as the time with your Father might be, you can return home, knowing you are loved and treasured.
Take care of yourself.
I love your blog, and you have no idea I exist, but I am your PSF too. 🙂 ((hugs)) to you– there are no right answers, and people do what they do, whether it is illogical or logical, or good, or not. It just IS. You have to deal with it and accept it for what it is (not agree with it, but accept you can’t change someone who does not want to be changed) and go from there. You are doing a great job doing just that. I am appreciative of you reaching out in this challenging circumstance. We have had issues with relatives and I am sending good thoughts your way.
{{{HUGS}}} Lauren –
I know it- I lived it – I thought it was normal to hang out at the bar and play pinball some Saturdays 😉
things CAN change –
I hope that tonight wasn’t another disappointment…Love you –
T
Once again my friend your honesty is going to touch so many and once again, you are not alone. In the past year with the help of my oldest daughter(22), I realized that my relationship with my father was one sided and that my children had no relationship, did not think of him at all and that it wouldn’t matter to them if I finally stopped my side of the relationship. Sounds harsh but it has freed up so much anxiety and irritation with someone who always falls short. I didn’t say anything to him just stopped calling so I have no idea whether or not he even realizes. I am very fortunate to have such a wonderful military family that fills the gap of a blood family. I don’t think that my children realize that our friends aren’t the people that should be closest to them, so I am thankful for FRIENDS.
I wish you strength today but keep in mind that it may just be best to “let go”, chances are your children won’t be affected negatively if you do.
Hugs,
Lauren,
I whizzed back to your blog last evening to check if your sketch was up and read this entry. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I am amazed that you have ‘turned out’ how you have with so many difficulties as a child and since becoming a Mum – you are so creative, so practical and come over as so caring. I hope you do meet up with your Dad, you do have a great time and that a little something does touch his heart. God bless. Janine x
I understand what it is like to struggle with a parent. Will be praying for you and for a peaceful meeting. *hugs*
Hugs, Lauren, praying for a peaceful day for you.
I sure hope all goes well with your Dad, so sorry about this situation but it is probably a good thing you are seeing him again, then if something does happen you won’t feel any regrets.
Beautiful card, more than he deserves it sounds like but wonderful non the less. Love how the leaves are falling and you split the tree!
You are truely an inspiration, Lauren.
I’m praying for reconciliation for you and and your father, Lauren. I know what it means to have an alcoholic parent though my mother was still there for us and I was grown when the disease affected her. It is a disease that affects the whole family. Thanks for being so open and honest about this. I’m sure you are an inspiration to many.
Wishing you love, peace and joy.
You have such a big heart, Lauren. It’s good of you go reach out and I hope you’re not disappointed. Thinking of you!!
Lauren, I hope dinner wasn’t a disappointment for you. Your card as usual is just awesome like you.
prayers for peace for you and your family, theresa
Dear Lauren,
I hope you do get to meet your Dad, I too have been there, and I know how it feels, the only thing different from your life to mine, is my mother passed away when I was 8yrs old, and I never did ever get to know my Dad, in the last few years I tried very hard, but he never really wanted us…. he passed away this year and I did have a tear in my eye to say, I wish I would have known at least one of my parents! Thank you for sharing your feelings, your life and art with me! your blog is very special to me! I admire what you do and how you touch many peoples lives… A Big God Bless!
Hugs always,
Germaine (Germana)
Kudos to you Lauren for going to meet him for his birthday; showing him you care even though he doesn’t. I know whal alcoholism does to a person and I’ve also seen first hand how changed a life can be when that person decides to sober up. I will pray for you dad that that happens for him before it’s too late.
Love the card! Cute owl and wonderful sentiment.
I am sorry you feel uptight an anxious about today, I will be praying for you to have a nice dinner with no drama. I am proud of you for taking the effort to better yourself and your family, that is hard sometimes to do. You are a wonderful inspiration to many of us. Stamping and our personal lifes!
I too, have lived similiar experiences as you. I know it is difficult sometimes to remember but God has blessed YOU with your husband and your special family. Thanks you for sharing with all of us.
Perhaps your thoughts will allow some of us to finally sweep those “cobwebs from our minds” to acknowledge our pride and success with our own life choices and family!
As always, your cards are beautiful!
How can you be a downer when you are being totally honest? I can relate to your story in so many ways and I kind of hate that there is a “sorority” of us out there. mY father is an alcoholic and the worst part was that he never hid it from us and actually bad things happed to us because of it. I have never stopped loving him, I just wish that je loved us more then that bottle. I do appreciate that now he hides that from my daughter and is more responsible and allows me to drive him now instead of getting behind the wheel wasted.
I am so glad that your night went well and I hope that he does follow through and can have even a slight relationship with your children and his new grandbaby. I will be keeping you guys in my prayers!
Lauren,
First, Your cards are SOOOO gorgeous. I love to follow your blog almost every day. Second, Ialready read the next post. I’m so glad your Dad made it and even thought you don’t keep a close relationship with him I’m glad that day went well. You’ll appreciate it for what it was.
Have an awesome week!
Tonya
I read all your messages and it seems like we all have a loved one that lets us down. My mom was/is addicted to pain pills. It has affected our lives now for 20 years. She is in pain and I know that pills are the only way that will help her live a comfortable life but she over does it and does not take the pills as directed. She has lied, stoled and broke my heart many times. When I was sick and needed her she made up excuses to not come and take care of me and my kids because she was sick. She did not want me to see her all drugged up. Because at the time all she wanted to do was lay in bed and zone on drugs. I finaly kicked her out of my life three years ago. It was the hardest thing I ever did. But, it woke her up. It was a gamble but one I was willing to take.
She is still an addict but she now controls her addiction. She no longer gets drugged up where I can see it. Or my children.
I still catch her lying and she will never be the mom I once knew. But, she is my mom and with Gods help I have forgiven her. Not for her sake but for mine. I did not want any regrett. If something were to happen to her tomorrow, I have no unresolved issues with her. God has given me that peace.
I will pray for you. I am sure we can talk for days about the pain we have been through. I am sorry for your pain. But, the one thing I do know is that he did not do any of it to hurt you. He can’t help himself. It is an addiction. It is a disease. WHen he is alone and looks himself in the mirror he knows the truth. There is regrett. But the bottle offers him an escape from that regrett.
I am glad your dinner went well,
I will pray for peace in your heart that carries the love you have for your dad.
In Him.
Janin
I’m back, with a card! I really love thsi sketch, so thanks for taking the time to do it! I’m glad your dad came and that you got pictures with him.
http://tanyastampsnthings.blogspot.com/2008/11/more-stamping.html
Lauren Your card is wonderful! The message you left for all of us today is one we can all relate to…Forgiveness. Not always for them, but more for ourselves. So that we can live on in healthier lives.
God bless you for sharing your feelings and putting it out there, when I know it’s a huge gamble on your part. It makes us love you all the more!
Reading your blog we know what a good mother you are, what a loving wife, and how very talented you are. You are generous beyond words with all you share…and I thank you! Your sharing makes it somehow easier for the rest to share also, and my dear that too is a Gift! Bless you… Cynde
Prayers for peace and blessings to you. I have had a similar situation and it’s so very hard for all involved. I struggled with some of the same things but realized I couldn’t change the persons behavior and that helped me somewhat. thanks for sharing your thoughts and photos. mel
Enjoyed reading your blog as always. I used your sketch this weekend. It was nice to have a little time to stamp.
Here is my card:
Melody
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1123699?cat=500&ppuser=156321
Lauren~
I am sorry to hear that. But you are so strong, you amaze me. I am divorcing an alcoholic/addict and it is so hard after 16 years with 4 small{ sort of small, 14,10, 6, and 2} kids trying to live. Always a sahm, we dont have anything right now, house in forclosure, no car or money… thats the way he likes me to be, with nothing. I hope I find the strength to be like your mom and do it alone.
Ugh, sorry for going on. Just needed to vent. I KNOW what its like to be around it.
Hugs~Kris
Lauren,
Your card is beautiful, and I love this sketch. Here’s my take on it… http://mrsackey.blogspot.com/2008/11/winters-butterfly.html
Kudos to you for looking past your dad’s disease to spend a little but more time with him. I had a brother who was an alcoholic whom we lost to the disease. Only people who have a family member who is an alcoholic understands how it really affects the whole family. I admire your strength. I was not that strong and have a lot of regret because of it. I’m so glad to hear your dinner went well and you were able to get some pictures!
Lauren, I am glad your dinner with your dad went ok. I feel for you.
I love the sketch and your card. Here is mine:
http://want2scrap.blogspot.com/2008/11/happy-birthday-man-style.html
I finally got to use your sketch…here is what I came up with…
http://creationsbyjulie.blogspot.com/2008/11/2-challenges-in-one.html
Hi Lauren,
I just now got a chance to use this sketch… I really like this one. Just wanted to let you know I was linking to your blog on my blog with this sketch… Thanks!!
http://create-everyday.blogspot.com/2008/11/yes-its-me-im-back.html
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