Comments on Coping with Life: Something about John

I am Chelsea, John Clear's oldest daughter. Th...

2010-06-23T18:49:08.059-07:00

I am Chelsea, John Clear's oldest daughter. This story is written from the view of someone who knew the young John. In truth he is two diffrent people, don't get me wrong I love my Dad. The Dad I know was funny, witty and said things that didn't make sense but were always funny. "When I was your age ... I was nine" one his favorites it never made sense but we all laughed. The present John is scary he is someone I do not know. Sometimes you can see the twinkle of "old John" in his eyes but it is fading. At thirteen years old I flushed herione down the toilet that he showed me to be cool(I guess). Then watched him pin his then wife Kristen to the wall demanding to know where it was. My Father was the first person to offer me Marijuana I declined out of shock that my own Dad had it atop his dresser. Since I was fourteen I have not seen my Dad outside prison walls. The first time my fiance met my Father was throug a piece of glass. He has hurt everyone in his Family, Maryann and John Sr. have every right not to "get along" as you put it. Identity theft and stealing from them...whats to like. They got up everyday to make their living and my Dad tried to steal it all. My sister and I have been through everything because of his problems. Waking up hungry living in Sunset Motel(welfare motel) in Seaside Heights, NJ because my Dad was to strung out to be a man. So I guess what I'm trying to say is don't feel bad for him. Drugs may be a problem but it's no ones fault but his own. No one stuck a needle in his arm or a pill in his mouth.

Chelsea Clear
Chelseac89@gmail.com

Ps. Dad I love you and I hope someday you can be in my life again. <3 Always

You have amazing insight into this problem/person/...

2009-11-26T02:00:05.617-08:00

You have amazing insight into this problem/person/life. I'm glad I stopped by, can't wait to read more!

Brilliantly written. Your pieces go straight to t...

2009-11-23T14:26:30.390-08:00

Brilliantly written. Your pieces go straight to the heart of the problem facing people and family dealing with mental illness. All of us that have stared into the eyes of this horrifying affliction identify with your subjects. We have visited too many hospitals, held too many loved ones close through long, cold nights and rage filled days and sought answers by ourselves for too long. Thank you so much.

Steve

Oh my this is sad. I'm not sure what's sad...

2009-11-17T15:02:47.519-08:00

Oh my this is sad. I'm not sure what's sadder, this story, or the fact that I know people just like this who just don't get it.

Good writing again, Tom Davis.

Lee H.

Too effing sad. He's missed his kids growing ...

2009-11-17T10:15:49.736-08:00

Too effing sad. He's missed his kids growing up. He's going to miss all the big events in his kids' lives if he does time again. It didn't have to be this way.
The saying goes that you don't seek help with a drug/alcohol problem until you hit bottom. Unfortunately, some people don't know where the bottom is until it's far too late.