By Harold Keller / L’Observateur / May 4, 1999

Saturday morning, at approximately 11 a.m., Jeanne and I were preparingto go to a wedding in Baton Rouge. I had just finished dressing and wasseated in my favorite chair next to the phone when it rang. The voice onthe other end said, “Mr. Keller, this is Tommy. Remember me?” (I don’tremember everyone I meet at treatment centers, but Tommy is one who has kept in touch with me since our first meeting, 11 months ago.) “Sure,Tommy,” I said. “I remember you.””How’s it going?” I asked. “Pretty good with me,” he answered, “but doyou recall Douglas?” “Not really,” I replied. “Help me out.””Doug was the young man with me at the rehab center that was wearing a dog collar the first time you met him,” he said. (Suddenly, I recalled themeeting and me picking on him because of the dog collar.)”Doug’s not with us anymore,” Tommy continued. “What do you mean, notwith us?” I questioned.

“About three weeks ago, he shot himself after a drug party of using LSD.” “What a wasted life,” I thought. “Another suicide.”The Doug I remember was a lonely, confused young man who was trying to get his life together. I had the privilege of seeing Doug every Saturday forfour weeks. After that first meeting of me picking on him, we really hit itoff. It’s amazing how young people are crying out for attention, so much sothat even negative attention is welcomed if given with love.

I recognized Doug for what he was – a drug addict. Yes, but through allthat, and most importantly, a young man born in the likeness and image of God. I loved Doug and told him so. Did Doug believe me? Without a doubt.The only problem with Doug was that he never really loved himself. Dyingwas not a problem, living was the challenge.

In the Bible, God says He puts before us life and death and to choose life.

My friend, Tommy, has chosen life. He shared with me that he has beendrug-free since our first meeting 11 months ago. Doug, on the other hand,chose death.

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher