Live fast, Die young, and Leave a good looking corpse.

[Joe S.]

I am remembering my father today. He died in 1986 on fathers day and this was his motto. I think it came about during his time in the 101st air borne during WWII. He told me a number of stories that I did not believe until I saw "Band of Brothers". He was drinking long before he went to Canada and enlisted in the RCAF.

He gambled heavily, Drank heavily, Smoked heavily and wenched until he met mom. They met passing a bag of popcorn between cars at 60+ miles per hour on a two lane road. The wenching stopped when they were married. The gambling stopped when I was about ten and mom called it stealing. (He was too good at poker).

Three trys at rehab during hm high school years and after I got married. The fourth time after our daughter Mary was born stuck. 5 meetings per day in 21 days put him on the track to sobriety.

Our youngest, Sarah, complained that grandpa smelled bad. He quit smoking that week.

When he was Dx'd with Diabetes, he said that managing his blood sugars was worse than quitting drinking.

Most of his life was spent as a salesman, often traveling. When he died he was a Chemical dependency councilor helping others kick their drug and alcohol habits.

He died of congestive heart failure in the hospital that he found his sobriety on fathers day in 1986.

Life brings a variety of challenges to us. How we choose to deal with these challenges is what makes us who we are.

[Katybarstool]

Joe

It sounds like your dad was an incredible person. I bet you still miss him, even after all these years.

Kathyx

[Patze]

A very interesting dad you had Joe!  Wow, he and your mom sound like a lot of fun growing up!


Patze

[engy]

Thanks for sharing that story 
Carie

[season]

Thank you joe s. for sharing your story and giving us a glimpse of your father.

He was truly an amazing person.

[Meld256]

Joe,

Thank you for sharing your memories of your father. He was an amazing man, and I am sure you are proud of him and what he was able to accomplish.

I like your last lines: Life brings us many challenges. How we choose to deal with these challenges is what makes us who we are.    Very true...

Also hope you were able to enjoy your Father's Day!
Melinda

[lynnmarie219]

Thanks for sharing this Joe....addiction has such a HUGE impact on everyone...not only for the person who is addicted. I always give credit to those who were able to overcome...and to families/friends/coworkers who go through it with them.

I've been there and it's not easy to watch someone you love go down that path...but it such a wonderful experience when they find recovery!