Hey Dad, Remember Me?: Breaking Patterns of Generational Dysfunction

By James Andrew Beck

Book Overview

At age eleven, James "Bubba" Beck is ready to die. The cold steel barrel of a .357 revolver tastes metallic in his mouth-all he has to do is pull the trigger. Fortunately a visiting neighbor interrupts him. Bubba's father lies at the heart of the young boy's despair. Beneath a mask of good times and community service, Jimmy Beck is a volatile mix of fundamentalist fanaticism and rage, abusing his son both mentally and physically. The discovery of his son's suicide attempt gives Jimmy an epiphany-realizing his acts mirror the violence he endured at the hands of his own parents. Jimmy escaped his family at fourteen by lying about his age, enlisting in the army, and engaging in adventures across the country. Now, hearing of his son's brush with death, Jimmy realizes he's continuing the one thing he wanted to stop: his parents' violent legacy. Jimmy commits to change, starting father and son on a journey of healing and reconciliation, ultimately breaking the cycle of generational dysfunction. "Hey Dad, Remember Me?" is the true story of how James Beck and his father re-pattern their thinking and behavior to transform their relationship from one of abuse and anger to fondness and friendship. The road was long, and not without setbacks, but the reward is more than either could have anticipated. As a result of their progress, Bubba launched across America on an adventure of his own-to honor his father-called SerfBliss.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0986102709
• ISBN13: 9780986102707
• Release Date: July 2015
• Publisher: Serfbliss Press
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 9 and higher