I can clearly remember when I sold shoes way back in the day and my boss and a co-worker tried to get me to go into the rest room, where they’d rigged up a bucket of water to fall on me. The bait was a first aid kit that I knew was not “on the back of the toilet.” Yuck, who would put a first aid kit there?? Anyway, the point is that I did not fall for it, but I did appreciate their effort and I would have laughed at the drenching.

My daughter told me that her friends talked her into calling her boyfriend at school, they go to different schools, and telling him that she is pregnant. His reaction, “Well, my life is over,” which of course it would not be, but still my heart ached for him when I heard what she had done. It must have felt like an instant punch to the gut. He works so hard at school and every day he talks about his plans to become a firefighter. Why would she think that putting that in jeopardy would be humorous? 

She told me that her friend had a teacher from school (which seriously makes me question this teacher’s common sense) call her Aunt, whom she lives with, to tell her that she had been caught at school with drugs in her backpack. She said that she was going to call me with the same news, but didn’t have a chance. I was flabbergasted.

What is this kid thinking of?  Unplanned pregnancies and drug busts as humor?  When did April Fools turn into horrify your friends and family day? 

I tried to explain my point of view to her. I said, “It would be like me calling you to say that I had cancer, when I don’t.” She said that would be horrible, because cancer kills.  I tried to explain that these other things were huge and life-altering, as well. We did not have a meeting of the minds. We both ended up frustrated, which is no kind of fun or joke for anybody.

What do you think?  What do you consider an appropriate or inappropriate April Fools Day joke or prank?

Bucket of water on the head = funny
Teenage pregnancy = not funny

Image credit: All Posters.com

Post from: Blisstree

Not A Funny Prank

Stern is charged, of course, with being part of a ring of conspiracy. He’s suspected of helping Anna Nicole become more and more addicted to drugs so that he could possibly get her money. But what if Anna Nicole was just a regular girl?

I couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if enabling became a crime all around. Not just for famous people. Not just for the wealthy, but for everyday folks where drugs and alcohol cause the breakdown of their family.

What if all the mothers out there who not only support their husband’s drinking but become a part of the abuse they direct toward their children received the same fate as Howard Stern? What if the fathers of the world could actually be charged with covering up behavior when the mother of their children went on tirades so big that broken dishes and scared children were the only thing left standing at the end?

What if?

Image: Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

What If Enabling Was a Crime?

Of course you could always simply substitute the name of your fellowship where you see AA to make it work for you.

Another quick thought, for me again

My Drug of Choice Was Based On Availability!

And today, sober means Clean and Sober!

Mark

Post from: Blisstree

AA Isn’t The Only 12 Step Group