'DRUG PROBLEM' STAYS WITH HIM

I had a drug problem when I was young. I was drug to church on Sunday
morning.

I was drug to weddings and funerals.

I was drug to family reunions, family picnic, and outings that turned
out to be fun after all.

I was drug to Grandpa's farm to work during summers.

I was drug out the door to go to school every weekday.

I was drug out of bed on Saturday mornings to do my chores, help Dad
work on the car or fix things around our house.

I was drug by the ears when I was disrespectful to teachers or to any
adults.

I was drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents.

I was drug to the kitchen table to do my homework every
night.

I was drug away from the TV or the ball field to the family dinner
table at 6 p.m. sharp.

I was drug away from friends who were bad influences.

As I grew older I was drug into responsible adulthood by being held to
account for my actions.

My parents drug themselves out of bed each day to work to provide our
family with the necessities of life.

After work they drug themselves past the bars, the night clubs, or
card rooms and pool halls to be with the family at home.

They drug themselves out from behind the newspaper or magazine to talk
with me and teach me about life.

They drug themselves to the voting booth, PTA meetings, conferences
with my teachers, school plays, Scout meetings, etc.. And set the
example about what was really important in life.

Those drugs are still in my veins.

And they affect my behavior in everything I do, say and think every
minute of every day.

They are stronger than nicotine, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack or
heroin.

If today's children had that kind of drug problem America might be an
even better place.

I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be
honorable, to be compassionate. It is, after all, to matter: to count,
to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at
all.

- - Leo C. Rosten (1908-1977) American Writer