When I was in my younger years I did some crazy things, as I expect many of you have done also. The fact of the matter is, younger people tend to think that they are invincible, as did I. Drinking and smoking was a regular part of my life and even though I only recall getting drunk about twice in my entire life, I did drink and smoke quite a bit. In my smoking days I was up to three packs a day, though that was usually when I was drinking and hanging out, which was more often than not.

The book of Proverbs relates, “Who are the people who are always crying the blues? Who do you know who reeks of self-pity? Who keeps getting beat up for no reason at all? Whose eyes are bleary and bloodshot? It is those who spend the night with a bottle, for whom drinking is serious business. Don’t judge wine by its label, or its bouquet, or its full-bodied flavor. Judge it rather by the hangover it leaves you with, the splitting headache, the queasy stomach. Do you really prefer seeing double, with your speech all slurred, Reeling and seasick, drunk as a sailor? “They hit me,” you’ll say, “but it didn’t hurt; they beat on me, but I didn’t feel a thing. When I’m sober enough to manage it, bring me another drink!”

Drinking was my one source of entertainment and I did it a lot, for those of you who are somewhat familiar with the island life, you know that in many cases it was all about having a good time, which to me involved some alcohol and cigarettes. What a shame! There was one night that I can recall as though it was yesterday, Driving home to drop off some friends, I took the highway and though I was not drunk, I was sleepy. I had a buddy of mine in the passenger seat and had it not been for his watchful eyes, I would have gone careening into the back of another vehicle, because I was nodding off like you would not believe. Somebody always watches over you, that is, if you let them!