The other day an old friend asked me a rhetorical question:
‘Why didn’t we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?’
I replied that I did have a drug problem when I was young:
- I was drug to church on Sunday mornings.
- I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
- I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
- I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.
- I was 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 priest, or if I didn’t put forth my best effort in everything I did.
- 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 the garden and flower beds.
- I was drug to the homes of neighbors to help mow the yard, repair the clothesline, and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, my dad would have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drug experiences s are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin, and if today’s children had that kind of drug problem, our country would be a better place.
Thumbs up to all the parents who drugged us during our youth and taught us right from wrong.