I have always loved the holidays. \u00a0I love the sparkling lights, the decorations, the carols and giving gifts to loved ones to let them know they matter to me. \u00a0I have fond memories of how my family celebrated Christmas. \u00a0We kids woke up early and hurried downstairs to see the gifts placed under the tree, while my parents sat watching, probably more tired than any thing else, pretending they were seeing what Santa had brought for the very first time. \u00a0I usually got at least one thing I hoped for which made the day a success.<\/p>\n
That we had no fireplace, thus no chimney for Santa to come down, never troubled me. \u00a0Then it was off to grandma’s house, more gifts and many relatives who generally argued over cards about politics before the day was over. \u00a0A bit too much alcohol can fuel many unnecessary arguments, and this is a scene that gets played out in millions of families every year.<\/p>\n
I added my own unnecessary comments in earlier years, those holidays before I had discovered the freedom from the use of alcohol or others drugs that I now cherish. \u00a0There will be lost lives this holiday season, on the highways, in the homes and the bars from people out of control with alcohol use. \u00a0But there is another way to live. \u00a0This Christmas and every Christmas.<\/p>\n
Perhaps you know some one who continues to drink too much. \u00a0Seeking the guidance of Al-Anon for yourself and information about Alcoholics Anonymous for him or her is generally no more than a phone call away. \u00a0The holidays deserve to be enjoyed by all. \u00a0Is there some thing you can do to help some one else before the new year begins?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have always loved the holidays. \u00a0I love the sparkling lights, the decorations, the carols and giving gifts to loved ones to let them know they matter to me. \u00a0I have fond memories of how my family celebrated Christmas. \u00a0We kids woke up early and hurried downstairs to see the gifts placed under the tree, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[22,86,94,104,108,127,186],"class_list":["post-894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-circle-of-family-and-friends-you-and-your-personal-community","tag-alcoholics-anonymous","tag-freedom","tag-giving-to-others","tag-helping-others","tag-holidays","tag-joy","tag-santa"],"yoast_head":"\n