I think it was Christmas time

Yes your memory might have been sad, but writing about it will be healing. Thanks for sharing

what a sad rememberance.. a child and his sis trying to understand a cockeyed step-dad addict.. i hope strength came from such a sad event :( Frank

I can see why red and blue are dominant colors. Quite an experience never to be forgotten.

Same for you, too! :-)

You’ve painted this horrendous experience with brushstrokes of vivid color leaving heavy paths on the canvas. Even the flashing lights which might have been translucent seem opaque and heavy in this setting.

To frightened children, plunged into an unexpected reality about policemen and loss of innocence, it must have been crushing.

Perhaps set into the entire autobiography, it is more related to other things that happened in your childhood, but as a view through a monocular, it pinpoints isolated factors that had to have been bombastic for children, whose perspectives are inevitably searching for landmarks and links, even in the smoothest of situations.

Amazing writing, and, more,- - amazing survival, Wayne.

Hahah! No way. But we learned that Dunedin is no place for poor people. Plus also, we're expecting a new addition to our family in April so we decided to move closer to my parents.

Damn, those red and blue lights are powerful. Those balloons lost their innocence when we found out about the overdose. Amazing writing as usual, Wayne. Thanks for sharing your story.

I like how different sources of light come through in tale. Well written. Jamie

Wonderful as usual Wayne. I can understand how these memories would still be so vivid in your mind. I'm sure growing up n such a situation made you a stronger human being....and gave you plenty of material for a book.

Wayne, this is so sad. I can't imagine raising a child the way you were raised. You overcame and are a man I admire and respect greatly. You've got strength of character and a huge amount of love in your heart. My only wish is that you could have had a childhood full of innocence and freedom.

My Christmases started with Arlene and ended with my handicap.

Heart breaking. A child's view of life is so different than an adults. You have powerfully revealed this. As an adult, my mind immediately said the policeman's look of disgust was aimed at the situation not the children, but they have no frame of reference to know, we all need to remember this.

You are a very talented writer who has obviously overcame a huge amount of adversity in the past.

This excerpt is very powerful reading and a testimony to both that skill as a writer and your strength as an individual.

Well written and expressed.

Powerful work. Your ability to capture even the subtleties of something told from a child's point of view again demonstrates just how awesome you are as a writer.

Kim

We remember startling or traumatic events from childhood so clearly; I know I do. This is so well told; the scene is vivid, the emotions are raw and the poignancy is strong. Brilliant! Ann

Wow, amazing. This little teaser made me want to read your entire book. Well done.

Wayne, there is so much here that calls up all sorts of emotions. These words are what got to me most:

I had been a child, but I recognized the expressions. I saw it reflected in red and blue flashes on their faces; disgust.

I had been afraid...and ashamed.

I figured poor children with cockeyed step-daddies just didn't count.

So we can look to you for hope, Wayne. Many others have to endure the same kinds of things. You came out of it and have risen above it. With some help and encouragement, maybe many more can do the same.

If this excerpt reflects the rest of the book then it is a doozie. Well done, Wayne...well done!

So sad that any child should have to remember things like this. I am so happy that you have moved beyond this and overcome it. It takes a strong person to change from something like this.