A reader posted this as a comment, but I didn't want it to get buried so I'm highlighting it here.
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The other day someone at a store in our town read that a meth lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining town and asked a rhetorical question, " Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"
I replied that I had a drug problem when I was young. I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter what the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in my mom's garden and flower beds and cockle-burrs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family and friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the lawn, repair the clothesline or chop some firewood and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness she would have drug me back to the woodshed.
These drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I say, do or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack or heroin and if today's children had this kind of drug problem America would be a better place.
God bless the parents who drugged us.
So right and wonderfully said.
ReplyDeleteBoy, did THIS bring back memories!
ReplyDeleteMy folks are still alive. I'm going to call and read this to them before expressing my heartfelt thanks.
Thanks, PL
WOW! Excellent and so true.
ReplyDeleteKay
Cute, and there's a lot of truth to this.
ReplyDelete-Progressive Pat
Under THOSE conditions, my children have a current and on-going "drug" problem. My mother, may she rest, and my father (who still will "drug" me if I get too far out of line, even at 42) made sure I understood those simple rules of life. Now my children are all at the top of their classes, are the joy of their grandparents and their friends, and I'm sure will someday be pillars in the communities where they choose to settle...and hopefully when they become parents, they'll share this sort of "drug" problem with their children.
ReplyDeleteEXACTLY!!!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteJeff - Tucson
I miss my Mom really bad after reading this...
ReplyDeleteHave you read the article about Angel Adams, the mother of 15 children? She has 15 kids by 3 fathers and says someone needs to "pay" and be "help responsible" for her children and their situation. She and children live in a 2 bedroom hotel room.
ReplyDeleteexcuse me, but wth???
I'll be interested to read your thoughts on this issue.