Carney Park Adventures

If you haven’t read my pinned story, I grew up as a Navy brat, well, mostly. My parents divorced when I was five, and I would end up living with both of them a few times.

When I was seven, I was living with my mother, her dad, and his parents. My great grandmother got sick with shingles, and for some reason, I was convinced to move in with my dad and my soon-to-be step-mother and step-sister.

Almost two years later, in 1989, and not long after I lost my left pinky [read pinned story to find out why], we moved to Naples, Italy. Needless to say, it was a culture shock for me right after a quite traumatic event.

I honestly don’t remember struggling to acclimate, though. I was always that kid that could fit into almost any clique in school. I was athletic, intelligent, and good-looking enough, but I did struggle with undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder along with sub-par self-esteem.

I was also dealing with a step-mother who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. She was a bit of a nightmare, and a big detriment to my self-esteem, but that’s a story for another time.

In any case, Carney Park would become my escape. Situated in a dormant volcano, this park was — and still is — a piece of American paradise in the middle of one of the more notorious cities in…