Voice of a Child

 It's approaching fall and County Fair time in my neck of the woods. Nothing like the sounds of  laughter and screams coming from the brave riders spun in circles in the air. The smells of popcorn, caramel apples, funnel cakes...... this in one of my favorite times of the year.  A scene in Sketches of My Soul developed from the memories I have of the Fair. However,  Tegan's experiences are relayed through a child of a parent who abuses alcohol. I created Tegan to give a voice to those children.

  Children with alcoholic parents share common traits and behaviors. One being an overdeveloped sense of responsibility for the parent and as well as others.  The excerpt above gives a glimpse inside the head of a teen who wars with that responsibility of staying home with her drunk father or going out with friends.

This is a subject dear to my heart and one that I want to raise awareness of. The NACOA has resources for children of all age groups who have a parent who drinks too much. It stresses to the children that it is not their fault and they aren't alone. Here is the link to the part of their website that specifically focuses on Teens of alcoholics. If you know someone who could use the support or you need it yourself,  I hope you check it out and find it valuable.

*Let's not forget the people of Houston, Texas and keep them in our prayers.*