Only One Father

Forgiveness is never easy but is essential for your own sanity and self respect.
The third man that entered our lives, following dads death, was also blind. That was all they had in common.

I loved walking with my mum and dad. Playing snap with braille cards. Dad playing his accordion. I looked up at him from all sorts of levels. He didn't seem to be able to keep still; a bit like a fizzling bottle of drink. Bubbles everywhere Life everywhere and love everywhere in our home.

We had no reason to feel shame, hate, poverty or drug abuse. I don't think we were a chocolate box family but just a normal one in a quiet Close. A Close where I'm sure we would have remained had death not sneaked in quietly on a 1958 November morning.

Other people lose parents. Struggles everywhere and obstacles to overcome. But how could we survive the man who followed our dad; the man who beat his guide dog on a daily basis and who taught me how to survive feeling different and turn my life around enough to understand cruelty and mental abuse.