White Owls and Whiskey, A Memoir

In this inspirational memoir, Dennis shares how he endured and survived sexual abuse, witnessed domestic violence, and the challenges of posttraumatic stress disorder. Dennis recounts an early childhood full of uncertainty and fear. He knew that his father was often lost in his alcoholism. He also knew that his father had a capacity for violence. There was few safe places for Dennis, and that sense of instability followed him into adulthood. In his work, he makes the connection between the scars of childhood abuse and depression, anxiety, instability, and impulsiveness. His memoir will ring true for anyone who has suffered a major trauma and has had a difficult time finding an escape from these difficult memories. Dennis combines his candid memoirs with short, startling vignettes and poems about the trauma he endured. These small sections capture not only the fears and cruelties he experienced but also the moments that convinced him to keep moving forward. He wants to show that you can still find joy, beauty, and grace after frightful experiences. His work celebrates and honors all the survivors who work every day to find peace and to support others.