In the interest of full disclosure, I felt compelled to post to this blog a dramatic event, I am certainly not proud of, but one that has changed my life.
On July 6, 2010, I was arrested and charged with a DUI, “Driving Under the Influence”, in Morgantown, West Virginia. I was jailed overnight and later, after appearing in front of the local magistrate and pleading guilty to the charge, was sentenced to return to the jail for a total confinement served of 24 hours. Twelve of which I had already served that terrible evening and twelve more in October.
On July 6, 2010, I was arrested and charged with a DUI, “Driving Under the Influence”, in Morgantown, West Virginia. I was jailed overnight and later, after appearing in front of the local magistrate and pleading guilty to the charge, was sentenced to return to the jail for a total confinement served of 24 hours. Twelve of which I had already served that terrible evening and twelve more in October.
I would like to share how all of this came about. Not as an excuse, as there is really no excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking but, just as an explanation.
You see, it was the beautiful Sunday of the July fourth weekend and I was out on my boat on Cheat Lake in Morgantown, West Virginia. I was enjoying myself on the lake most of the day and oh, by the way I was not drinking. Later in the day, as I ventured upstream on the river, all was great until I reached the head water area where it gets rather shallow. This particular day, the water level was very low and I struck some rocks with the propeller and as a result, damaged the lower unit to the point that the boat and I were totally disabled. It seems this broke the drive shaft and I had no way to move under power. Fortunately for me, there was another boater just downstream and I was able to get his attention and he was kind enough to tow me back, 7 miles, to my dock. What Luck!
You see, it was the beautiful Sunday of the July fourth weekend and I was out on my boat on Cheat Lake in Morgantown, West Virginia. I was enjoying myself on the lake most of the day and oh, by the way I was not drinking. Later in the day, as I ventured upstream on the river, all was great until I reached the head water area where it gets rather shallow. This particular day, the water level was very low and I struck some rocks with the propeller and as a result, damaged the lower unit to the point that the boat and I were totally disabled. It seems this broke the drive shaft and I had no way to move under power. Fortunately for me, there was another boater just downstream and I was able to get his attention and he was kind enough to tow me back, 7 miles, to my dock. What Luck!
Well, once I was back at the dock and had the boat put away, I decided to visit the bar at the marina and have a few glasses of Merlot to relax myself. That turned out to be the mistake of the year! You see, back in 2005 I had a gastric bypass operation and those who have that surgery should not drink at all. My doctor had told me at the time; "Don’t Drink, it will go right to your head". I can now confirm that to be true!
My wife had stayed home that day, so she was not with me that evening but did need her car, which I had taken the next morning to go to a conference in State College that afternoon. So, I decided I would go to the local convenience store and get myself a really big cup of coffee before attempting the return trip home that evening.
As I was driving to the store another car stopped, for no apparent reason, right in front of me and I was involved in a minor traffic accident. Well as I am sure you will agree, if you have been drinking, there is no such thing as a minor accident and so I had to learn a very hard lesson.
I will say one wonderful thing did come from this. I realized the Lord was watching over me and kept me from making an ill-advised attempt of a long drive home that night. I realized I really could have killed myself or worse yet someone else. I also realized that alcohol and I don’t mix and I have not had another drink since. I am truly sorry for what I have done and thankful that no one was hurt.
Well to close, I would not ask for forgiveness, but would hope for your understanding.
Thank you for listening,
Shel
P.S. Don't ever think it is OK to get behind the wheel after having even one drink.
Believe Me... It's Not Worth It!
P.S. Don't ever think it is OK to get behind the wheel after having even one drink.
Believe Me... It's Not Worth It!
