the holidays are upon on us. this is a time of gatherings, of sharing, of family, and of friends. it is a time to party. but i must stress and beg of you all of one thing -- please please please do not drink and drive. not this holiday season, or ever.
on october 6, 2001, i experienced the worst thing in my life. something i wish for no one to experience, but far too many have and many more will. me and my father were sitting home watching tv when he got a phone call. something told me before he got off the phone what it was. i just knew it. my beliefs were verified when he told me that my mother had gotten in a car accident. but the people had told us that it was a minor one and not to worry. so me and my father rush out of the house, and drive to the scene. it was then where i saw the worst thing ever. imagine driving up a road and seeing one of the worst car wrecks you have ever EVER seen in your life, only to find out that your mother is involved in it. a head on collision. both cars totaled. the other driver was drunk, swerved into my mother's lane, and hit her head on. she was lucky. she got away with "only" a bruised rib or two, a broken wrist, and a steel rod in her left arm with her whole body bruised. but the mental injuries are severe. whenever she drives with anyone, she clinches the door with her life, she flinches whenever a car passes by. she is emotionally torn. all because some guy decided to drive under the influence.
these types of accidents dont just affect those directly involved either. i write this forum post at 4:46 am because i keep reliving the whole experince and i cannot sleep and i wasnt even involved. all of my relatives are weary of everything. the emotional trauma we have all felt being of one stupid person is too much to handle at times, even one month and 9 days after the event.
the point of this forum post is not as a pity story, but as an example. an example of how one more can of beer, one shot, one swig can turn the lives of many upside down. i would rather see you all not drink at all, but that is unrealistic. so instead, i urge you all to give the keys to a friend who is not drinking or to just stay where you are. i care about you all, as does your family and your friends and your partners in this great community. i do not want you to live through the trauma my family, and especially my mother is going through. i know some of you have been down this road before and know exactly what i am speaking of. to you, i give my condolenses. to those who dont, please trust my words. they are genuine.
my mother was very lucky, but you or the other people involved may not be. one more drink could make you one more statistic.
the holidays are a time of joy, let's try to keep it that way.
