I am 25 and never had an alcoholic drink in my life. Well...actually I had a sip of a wine cooler before I was old enough to drink, but that was it. The day I turned 21 I was asked several times, "What drink are you going to try first?" My answer, "None, thank you." And of course I got weird looks, like I was some kind of crazy person. Well people, I am here today to tell you that I am NOT crazy.
Okay so maybe that was a lie, I am crazy but not because I don't like alcohol. I am crazy for other reasons but I have a really good reason why I don't like alcoholic beverages. First off, every time I think of beer I imagine drinking warm pee. Why? Possibly because it looks like pee...and I don't know what pee taste like but I really prefer not to find out. And I have smelled alcohol before and it doesn't smell very good. Now, I am the kind of person that pretty much loves anything sweet. So a sweet alcoholic drink might actually tempt me, but I like the fact that I have never tried alcohol before. I like that I can be a role model to other young people being pressured into doing something they don't want to do.
Aside from the look and smell I really despise what alcohol does to people. People act like morons when they drink. Sure, there are a few that drink socially and stop at one or two, but face it, most people drink to have a good time and often "forget" how many drinks they have had. Most of them drink to get drunk. I have seen first hand what it does to people. I lived with my aunt for a month once and she had a drinking problem. Not many people in my family bring this up but I will never forget what I learned from her drinking. Or her, to be honest.
Before I go on about my aunts problem I will say that she was a wonderful woman. A strong woman that didn't let life get her down. She was one of the best cooks I knew and she always made me laugh. Although, she also made me blush because she always brought up things I didn't want to talk about...like sex. Dirty jokes...always dirty jokes. If she was alive today me and her would have a fun time cause my dirty dirty mind would play along with her jokes.
Moving on. The short time that I lived with her I witnessed one moment that will stay with me forever. Of course I knew she had a drinking problem. I had heard anyways, and somewhat seen. But it was never as bad as this one day. We were all sitting in the living room watching T.V. and my aunt was sitting, or rather laying, on the couch. She was already drunk and it was quite early if I remember correctly. She had a bowl of soup trying to eat it. She got more on herself then in her mouth. Watching her eat was like watching a child that had just learned how to use a spoon. And she had no idea what she was doing. It was scary, to me, to see this woman I loved so much acting like such a helpless child. In all honesty, she kind of reminded me of a homeless person who was so weak and sick that they couldn't even comprehend the reality around them.
Maybe it wasn't as bad as I remember it but that one moment in my life has scarred me. Every time I see someone lift a drink to their lips I die a little inside. I fear that they will show me a scene far worse that what I have already witnessed. I have been around other drunk people before and every time I find myself wanting to run. I can't help the way I feel around people drinking. It sucks too because most people my age are out drinking on the weekends.
I think alcohol makes you act like an idiot. Sure, once you are a little tipsy you can dance without worrying what others are thinking and you may forget all your problems. But the reality of it all is tomorrow, when the buzz wears off, your problems are still there and most of the time you don't remember all the fun you had dancing the night before. There are other ways to feel comfortable with having a little fun in public. Like, not caring what others think. Why should you care? Chances are, the ones who make fun of you having fun, are the same exact people that you will never see again. Or even the exact person who will go home and drowned their sorrows in alcohol because they are so uncomfortable with themselves.
I am not saying that everyone should stop drinking. Some people actually like the taste...eww. And for some it is fun to sit at the bar and have a few drinks with friends. But it is seriously necessary to get drunk?
I know I don't need to be drunk to dance on tables or act like a teenager having a little fun. I don't care if I look like an idiot out on the dance floor because I am having fun. And the best part is, I will remember it in the morning. I will always remember the fun times I have because I have fun with out alcohol.
I ask that you all stop looking at me weird when I say no thank you to a beer. Or when I decide not to hang out with people because I know there will be alcohol involved. Call me an innocent and sheltered woman but I am what I am and I am happy about that. I am happy that I have not poisoned my body with chemicals that can eventually shut down my kidney. And I am glad, once again, that I can be a suitable role model for young teens everywhere.
Before I go on another rampage about something else I shall say goodnight and end this blog
Until we meet again
Heather
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