I had been surrounded by alcoholism, which kept me near that particular valley.  I didn’t want to go into that valley.  I knew, from experience, of its heartbreak and destruction.  I had witnessed its devastation and shattering of individual lives as well as relationships.  I was learning, at 15, the consequences of wrong choices.  I was actually learning what it meant to let go and let God.  I learned to be appreciative of the presence of God.  It was when I began developing ways to focus more on the goodness of God.  Making decisions to not join my friends wasn’t easy through the years, as I turned down invitations to many different Hilltop Taverns, but God helped me not to go there.  I’m familiar with the terror and anguish in that valley of alcoholism.  I know of the broken promises and discouragement of that valley.  I know of the pain and sorrow suffered by those caught in that valley, sometimes used as self-medication.  I know of the anguish and sadness coming from that valley.  I know that many beautiful people are often disguised by the affliction of alcoholism, but I also know some who have seemed hopelessly afflicted, who were able to climb out of this dark and confusing valley, never to return to it.

I am humbled and grateful that, with the help of God, I have been able to, personally, not walk in that valley.  I can’t explain it or feel victorious about it.  I don’t take any credit for abstaining from drunkenness.  I thank God I can stop after one or two drinks on the rare occasions when I do drink alcohol.  It’s only by the grace of God that I’ve been able to refrain.  I’m just prayerfully thankful.

End Chapter 6.

©Pat Montesano 2003 All Rights Reserved.