The addict spent a lot of time reading over the Labor Day Weekend. Despite the incredible weather and the extra day off, the addict selfishly hoarded as much time as possible to read. You might even say that the addict "turtled."
The addict is currently re-reading a series of books he has read several times before: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. This is a fantasy epic that has always had a strong pull on the addict's heart.
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are an epic tale in the genre of Lord of the Rings. The difference is that the main charcter -- the hero or protagonist -- is a person from our world and is very unlikeable. He suffers from leprosy and all of the isolation and abuse that go with it. He is hard for the Reader to support because he insists on not believing in the very beautiful world that is the substsance of the novel. He hates the world and he hates himself. But in the end, he finds redemption. Any addict would crawl on his knees for such redemption. This character of self-hatred and redemption provides a crucible for the reader to purge his own doubts and fears.
But even as the addict spent time withdrawn to read over the weekend, he was aware of family and the needs of others. He knew, for example, that his youngest -- the Chatty Chatty Princess -- was looking to him for some play time and entertainment.
"Daddy, can you play outside?"
"Daddy, let's race!"
"How about a treasure hunt, Daddy?"
So what to do?
Turtle?
Or not turtle?
Turtles have protective shells that can provide safety from enemies and other threats. Addicts have protective shells that shield them from threats which may or may not exist.
Turtles do not spend time with their young. They lay eggs and leave. Parenthood is not in the nature of a turtle.
Addicts have a choice: Turtle or not turtle.
While the addict spent most of the weekend as a reclusive, in the end he stuck his head out of his shell and realized that being a parent could be fun and rewarding. So this weekend the addict swam, played tag, went on a treasure hunt, looked for clues in a mystery, and played hide-and-seek.
And you know what?
The addict was just fine without his shell!
The addict is currently re-reading a series of books he has read several times before: The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. This is a fantasy epic that has always had a strong pull on the addict's heart.
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are an epic tale in the genre of Lord of the Rings. The difference is that the main charcter -- the hero or protagonist -- is a person from our world and is very unlikeable. He suffers from leprosy and all of the isolation and abuse that go with it. He is hard for the Reader to support because he insists on not believing in the very beautiful world that is the substsance of the novel. He hates the world and he hates himself. But in the end, he finds redemption. Any addict would crawl on his knees for such redemption. This character of self-hatred and redemption provides a crucible for the reader to purge his own doubts and fears.
But even as the addict spent time withdrawn to read over the weekend, he was aware of family and the needs of others. He knew, for example, that his youngest -- the Chatty Chatty Princess -- was looking to him for some play time and entertainment.
"Daddy, can you play outside?"
"Daddy, let's race!"
"How about a treasure hunt, Daddy?"
So what to do?
Turtle?
Or not turtle?
Turtles have protective shells that can provide safety from enemies and other threats. Addicts have protective shells that shield them from threats which may or may not exist.
Turtles do not spend time with their young. They lay eggs and leave. Parenthood is not in the nature of a turtle.
Addicts have a choice: Turtle or not turtle.
While the addict spent most of the weekend as a reclusive, in the end he stuck his head out of his shell and realized that being a parent could be fun and rewarding. So this weekend the addict swam, played tag, went on a treasure hunt, looked for clues in a mystery, and played hide-and-seek.
And you know what?
The addict was just fine without his shell!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment