Columns In The Tennessean

Make them a good Wino.

Follow up:

Barbara and Beverly have helped us many times before and in many ways.

We don’t get to see them as often, now that the Saucy Sisters’ radio show has become so popular. But we get to hear them on “Sauced!” - the food show with a musical twist - every Sunday at noon on WLAC 1510 AM in Nashville (and WLAC.com.)

Their notoriety hasn’t kept them from thinking about us – they have created an encore “Sip a Merlot for Marcy” wine tasting party to benefit Marcy again this year. Though they hosted a party for us last year, we aren’t calling this year’s soiree the “second annual” because we believe Marcy will be better this time next year and hosting parties of her own.

This year’s event is Thursday September 25, 2008 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. This year we plan to learn a little more about wine and enjoy wines from Arrington Vineyards, a signature cocktail created just for the event, an appetizer buffet, a silent auction, and a cooking demonstration (complete with samples!) by chef Ricky Pigg of Stoney River Legendary Steaks (in Cool Springs.) More details are at EveryDayIsPrecious.com.

Last year’s party was lots of fun, even though I didn’t try any of the wines.

I don’t drink any more. (When I was drinking I used to add “but I don’t drink any less!”) I’m not prudish – at least not about alcohol. I don’t frown when other people drink, it’s just not for me.

I was an alcoholic.

I have heard that once one is an alcoholic, he is forever either an alcoholic or a recovering alcoholic. But I was never in a rehab facility or twelve step program. Jesus healed me from needing alcohol. About this time of year, eleven years ago, before I was even trying to walk with Jesus, on a lonely three and a half hour drive, I made a covenant with God: I would stop drinking if He would help me.

He told me alcohol was not good for me. He didn’t tell me alcohol wasn’t good for anyone – there has only been one sinless person and He not only drank wine, He turned water into wine - alcohol just isn’t good for me.

I have kept my covenant – I haven’t consumed a drop of alcohol in over 11 years. And He always keeps His covenants – He has helped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined eleven years ago.

Looking at last year’s Sip a Merlot for Marcy reservation list, we saw names of friends from all facets of our life: neighbors, friends we made working with Happy Tales Humane, parents of our kids’ friends, our kids’ teachers, and friends who are local business owners. There was so much diversity on that list, people from all walks of our life, it was hard to imagine how they would get along. What would be their common ground? What would they talk about?

But when Marcy, Cricket and I got there last year, the party was in full swing. The din was so loud, it was difficult to hear the person next to you. They all have different backgrounds but they all have the same foreground –each has a compassionate heart. Each has helped us in some way and each helps others any way they can. That many warm hearts in one place melt away awkwardness, discomfort, and any feeling of isolation, opening the door for fun.

If you know someone in need, there is something you love that you can use to help them. Even if they don’t love the same things you do, they will love you for doing it.