"THANK ME FOR MY SERVICE"
By Chris Sparks
“…But being funny wasn’t just an escape; it was a way to feel like I had some control over my identity. When I was making people laugh, I didn’t have to worry about competing with anyone. I didn’t need to be the best—I just needed to be funny. And for a while, that was enough. But the problem with using humor as a shield is that it only protects you for as long as people are laughing. Once the laughter fades, the shield comes down, and you’re left facing whatever you were trying to hide from.”
Thank Me For My Service is a raw and introspective memoir by Chris Sparks, chronicling one man’s journey through military service, trauma, and the mental health system that nearly failed him. As a veteran misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffering from serotonin syndrome, Sparks pulls back the curtain on his personal battles with medication, identity, and the relationships that shaped him.
With dark humor and unflinching honesty, Sparks reflects on how his experiences with trauma transformed him—both as a soldier and a man navigating life after service. From isolating himself in a hotel room to confronting a broken healthcare system, Sparks reveals the profound challenges of losing control over his mind and body, and his relentless quest to find peace.
Chris Sparks is an Army veteran, writer, and filmmaker whose work explores the complexities of trauma, resilience, and the search for grace. Sparks’s writing blends candid storytelling, sharp wit, and poignant reflections on family, mental health, and finding redemption in unexpected places.
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Just got my copy 🫶🏼