It seems like we are always looking forward to celebrating certain holidays, and then come the preparations. This Thanksgiving was no different. Jeanne always makes oyster dressing for this special day. On Tuesday night she said, “Harold, I’ve ordered some oysters from BRS to be picked up at 9 o’clock tomorrow morning. Could you get them for me, please?  
BRS opens at 9 a.m., and I arrived there at 8:45 a.m. I was the first there and waited in the car for it to open.  
As I was leaving after picking up my order, a middle-aged man was entering. We greeted each other in the spirit of Thanksgiving, and he asked, “Do you remember me?”  Evidently I looked puzzled, so he told me, “I’m Horace Brooks. Over 20 years ago, I attended the DWI classes you conduct and have been sober ever since!” He was excited to tell me about his experience and gave me permission to use his name in this article. We hugged each other as we parted.
As I drove home with my mission to get the oysters accomplished, I thanked God that He used that time for a humble man to share what God had done in his life and at the same time encourage me to keep on keeping on.
Our family celebration was great, and Jeanne’s oyster dressing was as good as ever. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.
Now on to the next big celebration — Christmas! I consider it one of the saddest times of the year for many people — those who have lost loved ones, some having family members serving in the military and many lonely people who are not really excited about life.
I really don’t enjoy the way we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Years ago, I was one who used that holiday for all the wrong reasons.
I resent the many colorful, glamorous billboards advertising the most abused drug — alcohol. I feel for the young children who will be abused and neglected because of alcohol. I feel for the suffering alcoholics and drug users who think they need mind-altering chemicals to get high. I hurt for the people who attend church because of obligation, not really understanding what a special day this really is.
This Christmas, let’s celebrate the real reason for the season — the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-652-8477, or email hkeller@comcast.net.