Alcohol Can Tear a Family Apart

I had witnessed a sad situation this past weekend while attending a child's birthday party. We were in Raleigh and I pulled into the parking lot of the venue of where the birthday party was being held, and there were several police cars present. They were talking to a young lady and there were two children strapped in their car seats. I thought maybe there was a little fender bender or something so I just minded my business and went to the birthday party. As the kids were visiting and playing the lobby, I had been watching what was going on outside because it appeared it wasn't a fender bender they were discussing. They were cleaning out the van and the one of the workers had brought the children in to play in the office. A tow truck came and got their vehicle. The mother was taken away...I felt so bad for those young kids they have no idea what is going on. I figured it must have had to do with alcohol or drugs.Whatever it was, it wasn't good...It made me want to go and give those kids a big hug and make sure they were alright. Thank goodness someone called the authorities because she had these poor children strapped in the car seats ready to pull out of the parking lot. It's a sad situation that probably happens more often than not but I unfortunately witnesses it on Saturday and it was something I had not seen before.
It still was on my mind when I woke up that next morning. I looked it up and sure enough it had to do with alcohol and other things. These poor children probably were waiting for CPS to come and pick them up or hoping a relative.
How can a mother put their own children lives in danger...and potentially other families on the road!
Well, unfortunately, it's an addiction and they can not help themselves. Their need for that feeling is more than than they can control and it consumes their life. Alcohol can destroy families and in the end it can kill.
It's a drug that is easy accessible and consumed daily...It's about being responsible and smart. Some people are not capable of doing either. It has affected my life and more ways than one and we have lost family and friends to alcohol related accidents which could have been prevented...if someone only had made a call to come and get them or someone took it upon themselves to call local authorities like these people did on Saturday. It could have saved many lives.
If you see someone in need of that help make that call or give them a ride home. If  you see someone swerving on the road and you have your cell phone, make that call...
My husband and I have agreed if we go to a party, dinner, or concert that one person doesn't drink. He will not drink and drive! There is too much at stake to make that stupid decision~ your life, your children, your career, and everything!
When your children get to the age of driving make sure you have that conversation and that open communication so they know they can call you anytime, anywhere to come and get them and you will not be upset. Because they will be teenagers and they will be curious...we don't live in a bubble! I just hope as a a parent we have given them the tools to make correct and wise choices. As adults we need to make those correct and wise choices.
As we go into the holidays please keep that in mind! Don't drink and drive!