My biological father is married to the real Little Debbie, and I even lived with them in 2016 at their home in Ooltewah Tennessee after meeting them. No, that’s not a jokre.
What an I supposed to do with that information?
I’m also a Marine that served from 1999-2007. I suffer with PTSD and don’t know what to tell them about it.
What’s crazy is that they bought me front row tickets to Black Sabbath in February 2016 for The End tour and I went. I went with my biological father and biological cousin.
How am I supposed to process that kind of experience!?
I haven’t been as far as I’m concerned. I drink instead and my wife hates it. I do too.
Hey there,
I’m so glad to hear that you were able to reconnect with your biological family, it warms my heart hearing how well it has gone.
Before I write anymore I’d just like to thank you for your service to our country, it is not going unrecognized. I am so sorry to hear of your battle with PTSD, I can’t even imagine how difficult that is. But I have to say, it sounds like you have an incredible family that really cares about you!! I mean, front row tickets to The End tour?? JEALOUS!
If you decide to open up to them about your struggles, I truly believe they will be there for you.
I will be praying for you friend!
Also… the real Little Debbie?? That’s crazy!!
It makes sense that you feel caught between trying to understand these intense experiences and just finding ways to cope with them. There’s no simple “how-to” for piecing together what all this means, especially when it comes to sharing things like your PTSD with your new family. It’s normal to feel unsure of how to even start those conversations, especially when you’re still navigating your own feelings about it all. Your reality and trust has been shaken at its core. It’s like past and present are just blurred altogether, and it’s confusing.
I can’t begin to imagine how overwhelming it must be to find your biological family, knowing you have known each other for a while without that level of knowledge on your end. From meeting them later in life, to discovering a whole different background and even living with them for a time. You’ve been discovering parts of your own life and identity you never even knew were there… it must have been such a rollercoaster to walk through. It’s like removing a veil and having to re-think your entire life through a different lens.
Processing all of this takes time. You’re in the process of meeting a whole other version of yourself, one that’s connected to a life you weren’t part of until now. So trying to make sense of that alongside your own past, your service, and all the memories tied up with them…it’s objectively a lot. There’s no clear map for processing all of this and it’s understandable that it leaves you feeling kind of stuck. It makes sense to turn to alcohol too and to try to numb and/or avoid it all. Somehow, feeling lost might be part of the process and finding your path through this life transition, even if it freaking sucks.
Maybe it’s also about taking things in smaller pieces. Of giving yourself permission to go through it bit by bit might help take some pressure off. Starting with the feelings or memories that come up most often can be a good place to begin. And maybe talking it through with a trusted friend or even a professional could help too - overall someone who can help you navigate through each aspectwithout judgment.
You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Just taking it day by day and staying open to finding clarity along the way, that’s real processing, even if it doesn’t feel like much. It’s okay to give yourself time with this. The alcohol also does not have to be the unique response, and you certainly don’t have to compose with this new reality just on your own, my friend. It’s okay to ask for support, to share what’s on your heart, to build a support system as you are navigating through all of this.
You matter so very much. It feels like having a received a punch in the gut, but you’ll overcome this rough season, my friend. I believe in you.
