I once owned a copy of Alice Miller's "The Drama of the Gifted Child." Although I had only read the first chapter I gave it to a friend of mine as a gift a few years ago. Then, this February, my father (drug addict, narcissist, comedian, and guitarist) fell victim of a violent crime which left him in critical condition for a week. Doctors were uncertain of his fate in the beginning. Fortunately, he has recovered physically. During this time I felt a need to retrieve that copy of Alice Millers book. It popped into my brain during this emotional storm. I just knew I had to have the book. I found a local bookstore and found a copy of "The Drama of the Gifted Child" once again. I read all of it that night. Feeling mostly empowered and validated I still felt a creeping need to verify Alice Miller's work. That's when a google search of feedback and updates on her material brought me to Daniel Mackler's writings, essays, and a critique of her material. I have since been journaling everyday and trusting the difficult journey inward. I suffer from the need to please everyone else, sacrificing my own autonomy and agency. This creates ample opportunity for increasing resentments and poor choices. Among other shortcomings, I am happy to say that I finally feel like there is some hope in enduring my life-- warts and all. I couldn't be more thankful to have found another humans voice that taps into the many things I've always thought and felt but couldn't describe or even allow myself to describe. I appreciate the honesty, vulnerability, and willingness to share the gems of what makes us human. Thank you.