Wasted Lives

She was 25 years old, lovely, single and a recent graduate—headed for a good life. To celebrate she got drunk and tried to drive home. A tree got in the way and her funeral saddened all who attended.

What a waste these all-too-frequent stories are. Parents, family and friends who have been cheering on the sidelines during the path that led to success, are now bowing their heads at the graveside, bewildered at the waste before them. Another life wasted due to a lack of responsibility to self, family and friends.

Accidents do happen, and we all ache in sorrow, but when carelessness or foolishness results in our sorrow, a different chapter of pain is felt. Life is so precious.

Everyone who has a driver's license knows the danger of drunken driving. Why do we risk everything and give heartache to so many so easily? Some errors in judgment are impossible to correct. The time to make wise choices is while we are sober—and alive.