My dad had a habit of disowning us children when he would get mad at me and my brothers. He did it to all of us at one point or another. We would go long periods of not talking or seeing each other. When he would stop contact with my brothers, I was also not allowed to see or talk to them. Because I was a minor, I would have to listen. It would always take months and sometimes up to a year for him to stop being mad so we could start talking again. Because he felt that we were at fault, we would always have to apologize first.

Most times we would just wait a few months then try to come visit. Sometimes it would work, but other times we would have to leave and wait longer for him to get over his anger. Because my dad was an alcoholic, he got sick from cirrhosis of the liver. When this happened, I moved him and my mom in with me. As he got sicker, I had to learn to forgive him and let go of my anger and pain. I'm glad me and my brothers were able to forgive and be there for him during his last few years of life.