Author Debra Anderton composed her short story entitled “a lasting impression” (2010) very similarly to a personal diary entry. She goes through a timeline of events all centered around her mother Dorothy. Adereton adored her mother and appreciated the hardships she overcame in order to provide for her and her siblings. As the timeline progresses we find that the struggles and trials her mother endured over the years eventually caught up with her. The author seems to try and evoke feelings of love, pain, hope, and sadness all in one simple yet effective story.
The mother in this story struggled through life ever since she was a young child. By the age of 27 she was a widow with four children to take care of. Even in the hardest of times she is described as having strong faith in God and an undying love for her family. Aderton dreamt of being able to one day help her mother with the financial troubles she faced; however her mother got married before she could offer any help. The marriage only added to the list of troubles her mother faced. The abuse she faced eventually leads her to abuse alcohol. Adertons love for her mother made it difficult for her to confront her mother about her alcoholism, but eventually she did. Although her mother died before receiving any treatment, aderton never forgot the day that she tried to help her beloved mother.
The author shows throughout this story that regardless of the mistakes her mother made, the lasting impression she left was a great one. I have dealt with alcoholics in my family and I know the devastating effects this disease has on everyone close to that person. Aderton was able to make a distinction between the great person her mother was, and the horrible addiction she faced. Her mother’s strength and courage is what she remembers, not the negative effects of her alcoholism. I believe anyone who has a loved one affected by alcoholism should try and get them help. Even if they never get help, don’t forget the person they were before this disease affected them.
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