The shopping frenzy for Christmas is certainly not limited to toys, liquor stores routinely post some of their highest sales during the holiday season. Alcohol has always been a part of the holidays, so much you could say the season is actually drenched in it. It’s an unfortunate irony that the very substance used in all this celebration is too often the culprit of holiday tragedy.
TDA reader zentient sent me a news story at the beginning of the month that I’ve sat on for while. It’s about an intoxicated knife wielding man was fended off by a neighbor using a candy cane lawn ornament. Seems funny at first; unless you’re the guy arrested for assault with a deadly weapon or his family that will probably be missing a dad for Christmas. Unfortunately things have only gotten worse as we close in on the big day. Take for instance the Rocchi family of Gilroy CA, who were woke up by police with a call that they had found their son passed out under a Christmas tree… dead. Apparently the twenty-one year old froze to death in a Christmas tree lot behind a Safeway.
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I had to be the bearer of bad tidings but it doesn’t get any better. This Michigan Santa tells a tale that would make Scrooge cringe.
I asked them in my best laughing voice what I could do for them. The older girl said that she would like anything for her little sister. When I asked about her list, she only said, “I wish that my daddy would stop getting drunk and hitting my mom and making her cry. That’s all I want.” ~ Reacord-Eagle
Christmas was ruined twice for the Colorado Springs Police Department and the family of Officer Ken Jordan, who was gunned down last holiday season by a man who was too drunk to remember. Because of his intoxication level the killer was spared the death penalty this week after a trial that brought the pain and loss to all involved back for a repeat Christmas performance.
Just as ubiquitous as mistletoe and fruitcake during the holiday season, the sobriety checkpoints will be in full swing to combat the “traditional” spike in traffic fatalities caused by impaired drivers. Unfortunately it really is traditional as this Daily News story gives us a glimpse into a morbidly drenched Christmas of over a century ago. Christmas had become little more than an excuse to get drunk – a day off work when “liquor is in and good sense is out,” as one newspaper put it.
The boy returned to find his mother lying on the kitchen floor at the feet of Kissam and his friends as they popped open the fresh bottle. Nearby lay a police nightstick-his stepfather’s favorite weapon. The heavy oak club was cracked in half, and Joseph couldn’t help but notice a swollen knot on the head of his motionless mother. “Oh, Papa,” he said, “Mama is dead.” ~ Daily News
I know, I know, I’m preachy on the subject but in my book the rewards don’t justify the risks. If you are a problem drinker, then obviously you should quit and not just for the holidays! If you don’t have a problem, then take the time you spend drinking and instead spend it with the kids. Of course if you’ve been drinking in front of the kids, maybe it’s time for an early resolution to stop. For all of you young bucks who think that getting toasted as a chestnut spreads holiday cheer, ask yourself why the only people who can stand to be around you are fellow drunks.
Off my soapbox now.
Have a safe and sober holiday all, Merry Christmas!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I had many ailments, colds, flu, headaches…ie. hangovers that kept me from enjoying time with my loved ones at Christmas. I’m fortunate that I wasn’t found dead somewhere like so many.
Merry Christmas, TDA! One more week and I’ll finally have a full year. I just read my first blog, “As time goes by.” Well, a year has almost gone by, and I am so grateful. I won’t stop at one year, though. I’ll keep counting too.
a full year of sobriety is a great Christmas present to yourself and family.