Sunday Soapbox #11- a day early

This Sunday's gospel doctrine lesson is on the Word of Wisdom. Each time I have to speak on this subject, I think of the following poem. It was written by my great grandfather- whom I never met. He battled with alcoholism the majority of his life before getting clean, establishing Alcoholics Anonymous in Provo Utah, and eventually getting sealed to his wife and youngest child before he passed away.

Grandma Brown has reminisced how hard it was for her mother to deal with alcoholism in the home. Bottles stashed and stored here, empty ones thrown there. How her father always worked hard, but that any extra money went to feed his habit. I admire his achievements in personal growth and the battles he faced knowing all too well the tangible differences between water and wine. I admire my great grandmother and the sacrifices made on her and her childrens' behalf.

Grandpa great's life and his writings have always been a powerful lesson for me since hearing of them in my tween years. Alcohol abuse, whether alcoholism or not, runs in my family. I vowed to never let it continue with me. Luckily, I only saw minor effects of alcohol on a home, a family, or an individual; but no matter how little, it does impact lives. Alcohol changes the attitude, lifestyle and emotional and physical state of all persons involved. It really is best avoided in the first place.

I'm thankful my grandmother shared this poem and the history of her father with me at a time in my life when I could use it as a foundation to build my future choices on. I learned vicariously, and for that I am grateful. I've never had the desire to pick up a drink because I feared where it might lead me. Even now as a mother, I'm glad I do not drink, because heaven knows that there are moments when I say to Mick, "If I was a drinker, I'd go for one now"! But I know that would not be the end of it for me- just a coping mechanism. So, I'm dry. I've seen the blessings of it in my life and those blessings are what focuses me without hesitation. Without further adieu-

The Two Glasses

There sat two glasses full to the brim
On a rich man's table, rim to rim.
One was ruddy and red as blood,
And one was clear as the crystal flood.

Said the glass of wine to his paler brother,
"Let's tell tales of the past to each other.
I can tell of banquet and rival and mirth
Where I was King for I ruled in might
And the proudest and grandest souls on earth
Fell under my touch as tho struck with blight".

"From the heads of Kings I have torn the crown
From the heights of fame I have hurled men down.
I have blasted many an honored name.
I have taken virtue and given shame.
I have tempted youth with a sip of taste
Which has made his future a barren waste".

"For greater than any Kind am I
Or than any army beneath the sky.
I have made the hand of the driver fail.
I have sent the train from its iron rail.
I have made good ships go down at sea
And the shrieks of the doomed were sweet to me".

"For they said 'behold how great you be
Fame, strength, wealth, genius- before you fall
And your might and power are over all'.
Ho Ho pale brother, laughed the wine,
Can you boast of deeds as great as mine"?

Said the glass of water, "I cannot boast
Of a King dethroned or a murdered host.
But I can tell of hearts that were sad
By my crystal drops, made light and glad.
Of thirst I have quenched, and brows I've loved
Of hands I have cooled and souls I've saved".

"I have leaped through the valley, dashed down the mountain.
Slept in the sunshine and dripped from the fountain.
I have burst my cloud fetters and dropped from the sky.
And everywhere gladdened the landscape and eye.
I have eased the hot forehead of fever and pain.
I have made the parched meadows grow fertile again".

"I can tell of the powerful wheel at the mill
That ground out the flour and turned at my will.
I can tell of manhood braised by you
That I have uplifted and crowned a new".

"I cheer, I help, I strengthen, I aid.
I gladden the hearts of both man and maid.
I set the chained wine-captive free,
And all are better for knowing me".

Written by Roy K. Bullock