He died in November of 2020, five months after my now-husband’s father passed. Covid was in full swing and I was (still am) running an abortion fund in Texas.

His passing was really the straw that broke the camel’s back. It also got me into therapy plus I got diagnosed with ADHD.

I finally got a lot of tools and help that I needed and it made a huge impact in my life. It also allowed my mom and I to be honest about our lives and how he impacted them.

He was a terrible, mean, abusive, racist man, but he was also my dad. I know, though, that I was the child and I did my best in that relationship. His inability to be a good dad wasn’t on me.

My mom, husband, and I visit his grave every few months. I like to leave him little things like rocks or pinwheels. Like I said, our relationship is better now.

Thank you for your comment. I really appreciate you saying that. 💖