Celeste on Sobriety

This is one of the more difficult pieces I have chosen to write, but as I was pulling together content in preparation for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and reading about other people's experiences, it became clear to me I had my own story to tell, and what better time than now? Not only because I am reflecting on a time when the world around me felt hostile and frightening, but also because I am still unable to fully reconcile the loving, affectionate father I doted on (and who doted on me in return) with the violent, unpredictable bully he sometimes turned into. I never knew which dad I would get, and I often found myself walking on eggshells, even when he was in a good mood, for fear of something setting him off. I never knew how long the good mood would last and so never took it for granted when this was the case. On a good day he was the best dad in the world. On a bad day he was terrifying. I loved, and still love my dad fiercely. But I also know that what he did...