Don't even try to tell us that "just a suggestion, no harm intended" was supposed to make us see this as just a joke! Are you really just a 10 year old boy? Ten year old boys say the most mean and cruel things, aimed at hurting others, and then think that because they say "I'm only kidding!" it makes it okay, Grown up, rational people know that doesn't make it okay. Mean, cruel words are meant to hurt as deeply as possible and "I'm only kidding" is meant to alleviate all responsibility for any hurt caused. After all, if one takes it seriously after "I'm only kidding" is said, then it's not the 10 year old boy's fault that feeling were hurt. Lame!

You were the one who first expressed doubt that you could handle being around alcohol. We wanted you to know that we cared about your sobriety and would be there to support and reinforce your choice to remain sober just like everyone who was aware of my seafood allergy cared enough to be sure I didn't accidentally ingest it. Where is the condescention in that? We would have seen to it that you were surrounding by others who were abstaining for whatever reason. I see that as common courtesy. Those at the table who did choose to have a drink would not tease you with it or encourage you to "Just take one sip. What's it gonna hurt?" I see that as respect for your sobriety. But why am I trying to explain this to a 10 year old boy??

BTW, I'll put my health results up against yours any day. BP-110/68, pulse 60, total cholesterol 135, blood glucose 80 and I'd be happy to show you the results of the medical exam I took just recently for additional insurance. I'm probably going to live to be 120.

If your outreach program was held in a neutral location rather than your church and led by someone who could recognize and accept anything other than Christianity I would probably enjoy attending. If you could assure me that the premise of Christianity would not be raised in any action, word or phrase, I might even be more inclined to attend. However, just the word "outreach" makes me feel that it's just an attempt to bring others to your faith and that says religion to me.


"A happy woman is one who has no cares at all; a cheerful woman is one who has cares but doesn't let them get her down."
Beverly Sills