P. S. From the Editor

We might as well tell you right off the bat that the article beginning on page 3 was written by our son. We hastily add that the whole deal was cooked up between him and Managing Editor Helen W., because one thing we want to avoid around here is nepotism, which is defined as "showing favoritism to relatives."

It must be made clear, too, that our son's mother--our first and only wife, a member of Al-Anon--must be given full credit for keeping this boy (then about twelve) on an even keel when the family ties were threatened by what she charitably called our "over-drinking." The things active alcoholics do to their families are inhuman and cruel, especially to frightened and bewildered youngsters. It is comforting to know that, in this case, one boy's life was not twisted and warped; but only because this drunk's loyal gal had love, wisdom, courage, patience, understanding and deep faith.

Like our son and our wife, we are looking forward to a seventh sober Christmas with our family, who are no longer tense and fearful of what tomorrow may bring. No diversion could keep us from attending that regular Monday night open meeting (which this year will take place Christmas night) and hearing the laughter as the group's "unlikely-looking Santa Claus" distributes from a laundry bag the amusing junk we all contribute to the party.

And a Merry Christmas to you, too.

From A. K., Shell Beach, Cal., comes a clipping from the classified columns of the Pismo Beach Times. "Anyone having a desire to stop drinking," it reads, "contact Alcoholics Anonymous, P.O. Box 44, Shell Beach." Which is all well and good, but it appeared in a column headed DO-IT-YOURSELF.

Also on our desk is the usual accumulation of odd news items from newspapers all over. There are just enough lines here to say that if you have faith in United Press International, you'll just have to take their word for it that in Brentford, England, A. Brewer lives on Distillery Road.