Chapter 1: what it was like
Chapter 1: What It Was Like Alcoholism ran deep on both sides of my family. It was an unspoken legacy that haunted us, passed down from generation to generation like a dark secret. Growing up, I witnessed the destructive power of addiction firsthand. My parents, my grandparents, even distant relatives—alcohol seemed to have a vice-like grip on our family tree. My story starts out just like any good alcoholic's should, sitting on top of the bar. My parents, exhausted from the birthing process, decided to make a quick stop at the American Legion on the south side of Youngstown. It was a place where my grandfather sought solace, a haven for veterans who found comfort in the company of like-minded souls. As we entered the Legion, the dimly lit room greeted me with the clinking of glasses and the aroma of stale beer. As my parents carried me across the room, they gently placed me on top of the bar to meet my grandparents for the first time. It was an environment that would become all t...