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My son is almost 15 . The other night we were talking and he told me that when he grows up, he either wants to live in Barcelona, Spain or Utah. Of course, I asked him why, to which he replied that Barcelona is the skateboarding capital of the world and its located near the ocean. Okay, that made sense. As for Utah, well, there are Mormans there (of which we are not). I must have shot him the strangest look, as I didn't see a correlation. He went on to say the he finds Utah appealing because since mant Mormans live there there can't be much alcohol, thus no problems with alcoholism (yes, I know, not factual). This touched my heart. I worry about this kid, for some of his behaviors and personality traits scare me. However, just for now, I am happy that he is somewhat aware of the dangers of alcohol and the part it has played in our lives.
Blessings, Lou
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Every new day begins with new possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace. ~ Ronald Reagan~
Sometimes what you want to do has to fail, so you won't ~Marguerite Bro~
I remember when my A son was young...he used to worry about becoming an A like his bio dad. He didn't grow up around him as we split before he was 2 years old. It didn't matter. It is what it is.
That is not to say it will happen to your son though. My dad was an A and I grew up in the same house as him. Some were a's some were not. However, there was a lot of other addictions there too.
I would suggest to help him not to obsess over it. If it is to be the case you guys will deal with it then. Anything can happen to us in this lifetime besides becoming alcoholic....right?
i agree with jean. it's amazing how much thought kids put into things sometimes that we just take for granted. i think we miss it a lot because we don't really listen, we're too busy buzzing around in our little lives trying to figure out how to pull it all together.
I vote Barcelona. And God bless him, I thought Utah meant he was interested in starting a cult! Which might be fun if it were an Alanon based cult....LOL!! What a funny kid!
I told my mom that I wanted to live in the ghetto because the houses were so close that you could just lean out the window and borrow a cup of sugar, or see if someone was home........Seemed like a good idea at the time. I think I was just longing for close-ness of people.
Interesting Utah facts Loupi...I lived in southern Utah, very near the Arizona border, for several years. While I am not Mormon, I came to know the Mormon people as honest, hard-working, good people, who rear their children to be respectful, musical, and educated. This FLDS business you see on tv having to do with under-age marriage and polygamy has nothing to do with the true Mormon religion as it is today. The Mormons, unlike many people believe, are Christians. There are some strange quirks to the religion, but all-in-all it is not much different than any other.
Now that I have defended Mormonism, let me tell you this: Of course there is drinking among the Mormon population. To deny that would be ludircous; but there is far less of it than you see generally. Liquor stores are run by the State of Utah, and the alcohol content in beer and some other beverages is lower than the usual.
Not trying to preach here; just thought you might like to know, first-hand, that Utah is no different from any other place really. Except in its natural beauty. If you have seen only Salt Lake City, you haven't seen Utah. I really believe there is nothing more beautiful on earth than the cliffs and red canyons of Utah. The strata of the cliffs vary from red, yellow, white, green, purple, brown, and blue. Really. The scenery is awesome in the true sense of the word. It takes your breath away. Once you see Utah, you will never see anything more inspiring. You sense immediately that the land is hallowed ground, and if you ever doubted it, you know as you look around at the vastness of the landscape...there truly is a God.
Glad I said that. I dearly love Utah.
Diva
-- Edited by Diva at 01:16, 2008-06-19
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"Speak your truth quietly and clearly..." Desiderata
Thanks for the Utah facts. Oh, I know there is drinking in Utah and respect Mormonism. Actually, I found his idea a bit crazy in that he spent a week in Utah with his cousins last summer, and his aunt and uncle are not Mormon nor do abstain. I guess he didn't see all the cases of wine that were loaded up in the Suburban and driven back there I truly was just sharing what he said. For the moment, I was pleased that he doesn't see an appeal in drinking or drunk people. Personally, I'd much rather he live in Utah than Spain, but given he is only 14, I don't think I need to worry about that just yet.
Blessings, Lou
-- Edited by Loupiness at 10:49, 2008-06-19
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Every new day begins with new possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace. ~ Ronald Reagan~
Sometimes what you want to do has to fail, so you won't ~Marguerite Bro~
Thanks for your share about your son. My sons are just now responding to their dad and the alcoholism and addictions in both our families. They are grown and there is an impact. My AHSober just doesn't see that. Two of my sons (ages 20, 23) skateboard. We have been to Utah where they skated and have videos of skateboarding internationally. What a life.
I truly was just sharing what he said. For the moment, I was pleased that he doesn't see an appeal in drinking or drunk people. Personally, I'd much rather he live in Utah than Spain, but given he is only 14, I don't think I need to worry about that just yet.