A Story of Generational Trauma
In 1954, my grandfather left my grandmother for another woman. My Dad was three years old. The feelings of abandonment and neglect that ensued were the cornerstone of Dad’s life.
My grandmother, Mamo, as we called her, was left with three little boys to care for — my Uncle Donny (11), my Uncle Steve (7), and my Dad, Douglas (3). Mamo was 30 and worked as a switchboard operator in a hotel.
Finances were tight. To add insult to injury, my grandfather married the other woman and had three more kids. It is unknown whether he provided financial support, however, he was a policeman with six children and two households. I cannot imagine there were enough time and money to go around.
Mamo was often late with the rent and other bills. Landlords banged on the door of their little old house looking for the rent money.
Mamo also wasn’t around much, and Dad recalled stories of neglect and abandonment. He and Uncle Steve were in the house when Hurricane Camille took the roof off. He said it was scary. Dad never seemed to realize that his childhood was much different than what others experienced.
