Tom M., Author at Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families

Inventory – Dreaded Inventory

by Tom M. | Jul 15, 2024 | ComLine, Voices of Recovery

A searching and fearless moral inventory? With lots of fear and trepidation. I don’t like the word fearless; it’s not true. I’ll use the word courageous instead. Whose inventory? Those who harmed me? After all, they are at fault. My parents, my coworkers, the toxic...

Counting Myself In

by Tom M. | Jun 1, 2024 | ACA And The Arts, ComLine

Excluded from the playground. Always picked last for any team sport. And when I am picked, quickly excluded from participation. I’m part of my family, but I don’t belong. Expected to be quiet and invisible. Expected to just go...

Photo of Daddy-Monster

by Tom M. | May 15, 2024 | ACA And The Arts, ComLine

I see an old photograph, daddy-Monster when he was about 25, standing with two of his brothers-in-law, dressed sharply, with confidence and self-assurance. I see a dad who’s not a dad. I see an explosive volcano. I see a raging...

The Color Dread

by Tom M. | Apr 1, 2024 | ACA And The Arts, ComLine

I was five years old. daddy-Monster told me to take out the trash. I remember the color dread. What if I did it wrong? Then daddy-Monster would explode. But he didn’t explode. I must have done it right. I remember catholic...

COMPUTER VIRUS

by Tom M. | Mar 1, 2024 | ACA And The Arts

daddy-Monster, I remember … I was three years old. You beat me as I was lying in bed. You blamed me for the beating. The worst part of the beating is that I believed your lie. Through countless other acts of violence, you confirmed...