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Good morning T_Bone. Yep, I don't drink either really. Had one, don't think two over this past Christmas, but always have some to offer guests. I've had friends that had problems. One was one of my better friends until he drank himself out of his job, home got reposessed, wife ended up living one place, junior high school daughter ended up living with some other friends, son ended up dropping out of school and going from place to place and getting into trouble. Destroyed not only himself, but his family...especially his children. He took off to Florida somewhere on his Sportster and never looked back. Called me a few times over the years, leaving voicemails to come down and party in Florida, but I never called him back. I went from losing respect for the guy to a total dislike of him. Here's a short story that I'll never forget about him before it got that bad that I'll never forget. Thanksgiving one year I was going home to see my family as I always do, and we were set for the festivities, but I knew that he had just lost his job and his wife didn't make that much $$$, so I figured probably no Thanksgiving dinner for them, and was right. Being friends, I stopped at the store and bought the makings for the dinner and dropped them off at his house. His wife was grateful, he was out tagging along with other pals being bought beers at some tavern, not even home. Hey, from my perspective to her, "For you and the children", and left it like that. Then on my way home stopped off to see another friend to wish her, a widow and her son and daughter Holiday wishes before I left. Now, her husband was killed in an accident, she worked hard at UPS to make the bills and a life for her children, but poor as a church mouse. I was happy as happy gets, told her was about to hit the interstate home to be with my family over the Holiday weekend. I was HAPPY and in a good mood. I asked her what they had planned for Thanksgiving, and her little girl said "We're not having Thanksgiving because we can't offord it", at the same time she gently took her foot and nudged her little girl's foot to hush her up. Then she said they'd be heading across town to be having Thanksgiving across town at her sister's. My heart sank because I didn't know whether they would, or she was just too proud to tell me the truth. Wow, I just left it at that and left. That ruined my Thanksgiving weekend. All weekend with my family, all I could think of was that lady and her children not having cheer although she tried her best, while across town my drunken friend having a nice dinner. Oh well, at least his wife and children did, and that was the point...but still. When I did see him next before his and his family's...family ended, I gave him such an earful. I haven't seen or heard from the guy in years, and if I never do, won't lose any sleep over him, but if I do see him, I'll probably deck him over unpaid bills, so to speak. T_Bone, I love the taste of a good beer, just don't drink much of it. I have a family that I love more, and nothing gets in the way of them. Nothing. Good day T_Bone.
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