wpainterw

Shortly after Christmas I lost a close friend. Years back alcohol had destroyed his family life, his livelihood and, I would think at times, his self respect. He lived to see his hopes dashed to pieces, his prospects falling apart like leaves in an autumn rain. But he survived and had his last drink in 1983. He died in a very modest retirement facility, aged 86 with thirty years sobriety. He was no failure. He had won the hardest battle of all, the battle with himself. It reminds me of the eloquent eulogy at the end of Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman" where the grieving widow, mourning at her husband's graveside, says, "Attention must be paid to such a man"
In loving memory of my friend. And in endless admiration and respect.

W.