The last mile towards home.

A tragedy has fallen upon our community once again. The death of a young person. The unimaginal and unthinkable. Hearing the knock at one's door. Anwsering that fatal phonecall. As I write this morning, my heart is heavy. Feeling a mother's grief, as she chooses the resting place for her child's physical state. Hard to think about life being over at 18 years of age. I can't even think of the endless opportunities waiting for this young girl. As our community is reeling, trying to piece together the puzzle of drinking and driving, one that continues to pour into our homes, drink by drink, I swallow the anger I feel about this deadly liquid. It is a substance that isn't contained in the fancy wine bottles that may hang so socially in one's cabinet. It isn't a substance that reconizes innocence or inability to say no. It is a liquid that has seeped through the very pores of our homes and resulted in a weakened foundation causing destruction to our families. I do not believe in social drinking. I do not believe one can partake in a glass of wine or alcohol and then say to our children it isn't for them. One may argue moderation. One may argure maturity. One may argue, get real Miriam, you cannot control people's decision to drink or not. Of course, you are exactly correct. I cannot. I can; however, give you first hand, my knowledge of how this poision can start with that first innocent sip as a high school student, become a road into a world of danger, risks, death, whether physically or spiritually. As this final turn took place, early Sunday morning, it proved to be too much for the reflexes dulled by the sips of liquid socially justified each day. Ask my children if taking a drink doesn't matter. Ask my children if they think it can be contolled. Ask my children if it is something that enhances one's social life. Ask them how many times they prayed their loved one would make it home, make that last turn home, drive that last mile without dying. I think their response would be socially unacceptable.