CHARLIE'S TALE – Fire & Water

This is my story. I was born on August 11th, 1940. When I was young, about 9 years old, my father owned a ranch and a men's wear store. In the summer break from school I was helping out on the ranch, mowing grass, bringing in the hay to feed the cattle during winter. Hard work for a kid but it had to be done.

I had my first beer when I was 9 years old and never thought too much about it. Back in school I was a super athlete involved in curling, baseball, hockey and basketball. We all drank after the games - this was between the ages of 14 to 18. It never entered my mind that this was going to be a problem. I put all my energy into sports - girls would come later. I was a team player, not a leader. We won the Canadian Pony League Championship, the Alberta Junior Curling Championship and the Alberta Junior Hardball Championship. Later when I was 20 I played with the Junior Edmonton Oil Kings; curling where we won cars, TV's, cash - you name it, we won it.

It didn't matter what sport I was involved in, after it was over there was the beer. One always led to six or more. I got a job on a big city fire department. Mainly because I was always a winner at whatever I did and a team player. I became a world class Curler - winning Canadian Championships a total of 5 - because of the free time we got working on the fire department, I started three companies - painting, rental and construction. I was making more money away from the fire department than with it, therefore I could afford anything I wanted including lots of booze, fast cars, boats and easy women - all of which loved me but not for the right reasons.

This continued on till I thought who needs the fire department. I had been over trained on rescue - jaws of life and saving peoples lives - I was on call 24 hours a day with trauma being a big part of it. I took charge of every accident I was present at and was promoted to Captain so I was able to take charge of any situation. I decided I don't need this shit anymore and I retired from the fire department thinking I'm ok - I cashed in my pension to put into my businesses - shortly after that the economy went bust and so did all my adventures. I still kept up the drinking all through this.

When I turned 40 I moved to Vancouver where I met a wonderful lady and we were married shortly after that.

I was painting for a major company and making very good money. 2 years after we were married my wife was told she had cancer. Five operations later she was told she had 3 months to live. I quit my job to look after her. By now my drinking was out of control but I "did" what she wanted and God rest her soul, and now I am left with nothing.

Now 60 years old, I went back to the booze and drank more than 240 cans of beer in one week and had a grand-mal seizure. Somehow SWAP got in touch with me and I thank them for saving my life!!

I am still a long way from being perfect, but I am a hell of a lot better at 62 than I was before.

THE END

Marie's Story