Dear Editor:
In regards to Mike Rainone’s “Before the Party” column in last week’s Ponoka News, I have been cheered, made to count my blessings, to give thanks, and a whole lot more by his writing. A man with great talent, and a very kind heart.
We lost our youngest daughter in 1995. She and her truest best friend were killed, not by a drunk driver, but by a freight train at a blind crossing. I could place no blame, they couldn’t see. I can now give thanks to the RCMP who came to tell us our 33-year-old daughter was deceased.
My oldest daughter, age 60, died in 2008 from the use of tobacco; again no blame, except tobacco.
Now I have no daughters, no children.
I’ve learned to count my blessings. If a drunk kills your child, there’s blame. Mighty big blame. So please don’t drink and drive. Make that one for the road a coffee, pop, tea or eggnog. Not liquor or beer.
Think before you drink. A child is not replaceable.
Many deaths can be blamed on tobacco. Please quit while you’re ahead.
Merry Christmas to all and may God bless us all.
Nellie Tatlow