Dad’s death has lasting impact on children
“When my dad died, he was just 41. He left behind my mom and five kids. I was the oldest at 16. The youngest was 3. The toughest part was just trying to go on with life.
“Mom was in such a state, figuring out what she was going to do. She had her high school education from a small town, and she was a very smart lady. But she had never been out there in the working world. She ended up getting remarried about a year and a half later.
“That was really hard for me and my brothers. All our family traditions were kind of turned upside down. He was a whole different kind of man. He was a truck driver. But he was a good man. He was good to my mom.
“Looking back on it all, I think one of the worst parts for me was that she wouldn’t even talk about what happened. I had nobody to talk to. Nowadays, there is plenty of help for people in that regard. But back then, you were expected to just get over it and move on.
“Well, I think it’s played out all through my life. I was kind of a loner. I was insecure about relationships. Never had a counselor to help me. Although I did at one point go through depression, and spent two weeks in the hospital. They never really broached the subject too much with me. I think I still deal with it. Probably every day, something enters my mind about it.
“One of my brothers got involved with hard drugs. He died of an overdose at 36. It just seemed like he never could get his life back together.
“My other brother battled alcoholism. He and I were separated by that for many years. He’s 71 now, and has been in recovery with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. Through his AA work, he has helped so many other people with their struggles. It might sound strange, but you almost feel like it was his purpose in life.
“I live close to him now. And I’m happy to say that we see each other nearly every day.”
— Eugene Harrott
(Note: Eugene Harrott passed away on May 27, 2023.)
Related:
