I’ve watched hundreds and hundreds of old movies through the years – As a child it was my escape! I observed and I learned – I could have learned to be a great actor – But instead I apparently learned principles and mechanisms of life and of the human condition. If you ever get a chance to watch some of these old movies they’re quite incredible.In many instances, the stuff of which dreams are made of. True creativity. True, God-given talent and artistry! I soaked it all in like sponge!

I remember at the young peoples meeting many years ago, NIMKIPAH, telling this gentleman my parents never left me anything. I remember thinking to myself in that moment -and conveying it to that gentleman, “My parents taught me about addiction -they’ve gave up their life so mine could be saved”. I’m not entirely certain that I would have accepted my fate as an alcoholic and latched on to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous just as so many others fail to do so, had it not been for the lesson in life I was given by my parents. Just as some children hang around their parents law offices and grow up to become brilliant lawyers – I grew up sober as a youth, watching the deterioration of these 2 people and our family life 1st hand. I got to see this thing for what it was – You know a lot of us alcoholics don’t get to see their alcoholism uninebriated!

It’s a funny thing, after a couple of years sober, sitting in a bar watching the mood at 8:00 p.m. and then at 9:00 p.m. and then at 10:00 p.m. and then at 11:00 p.m.

My parents taught me what not to do and my grandparents taught me what to do. My grandma Minnie was the one that instilled in me the highest faith in God. To turn to God not only when things are bad, but to turn to Him when things are good!