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PSS ET Page 2, Terrace Bay-Schreiber News, Wednesday, December 24, 1986 A Northern Ontari The Children In previous articles, we have ex- plored, by way of an interview, the life of 'Bob', a former drug addict. Today we conclude our discussion of the readjustment of his family life when he decided to get straight. By Ken Moffatt, ARF, Thunder Bay, and Dennis Bernardi, ARF, Timmins. ARF: Bob, please describe your feelings about your children during the time you were using dope. Bob: | had my mind made up that my kids would do dope. I told my wife that my boy was going to smoke dope when he was six year old. That's when my wife left me. Because when my boy was going to be six, I was going to smoke him up. My total view of life was totally upside down. A normal life like I'm leading now was strange. It wasn't normal for me then. The life I led was was getting stoned, selling dope, partying, going out drinking, whatever. That's the kind of life I was going to bring my boy into, we were going to be partners later on in life. But now I see that I would have ruined my kids' lives. I'm happy I got out of it before I did get to that point. ARF: How are things in the fami- ly now? How do you compare things in the family now with how they were before you quit? Bob: Well now there's more understanding between me and my wife and I'm more understanding toward the kids. Before when I'd run out of dope for a day or so, I didn't have any pa- tience with them and my wife would try to make me understand but I would just tell her this'isn't any of her business just get out of my way, and so on. But now it's like a normal family. We talk about things. Before it was all my way. ARF: Do you see any changes in your kids since you stopped using dope? Bob: Oh yes, for sure. My wife told me that when I was using dope I'd be home with a house full of peo- ple and we'd be smoking dope, snor- ting coke, whatever. The kids would be inhaling the fumes and she'd tell me they were stoned. "What do you mean they're stoned?", then I would say, "No, they're not smoking it up or anything!"' : But I knew they were getting ston- ed and I was kind of happy in a way because we were breaking them in, you know? birht of their first child Hospital. who was 'born WEIGHING 8 Ibs. 9 oz. Special thanks to Dr. Wilkes, Nurse Shelly Long, and the nursing Staff of McCausland BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT CHRIS AND SHAWN KOSHOWSKI proudly announce the ' SCOTT BRENDAN NOVEMBER 20, 1986 MALC carrival of BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT OMSON PAUL, LISA, and KATRINA are pleased to announce the KENT DOUGLAS JOHN, Born DECEMBER 7, 1986 at Ross Memorial WEIGHING 8 Ibs. 9% oz. Proud grandparents are Mr. & Mrs. B. Douglas, Cameron, Mr. & Mrs. D. Westaway- Hopkins, Fort Frances, and Mr. & Mrs. Je Malcomson, Crystal Rock. Hospital, Lindsay, SHARWEN FOODS (THUNDER BAY) COSTA'S THANK YOU THE TERRACE BAY BOWLING ASSOCIA- TION would like to thank the following for their donations for the Christmas Bowl. TERRACE BAY BAKERY TOWNE CINEMA SHCREIBER FOODMARKET CHEESE. Res SEI ES THANK YOU Thank you to the people of SCHREIBER and TERRACE BAY, who supported me & the Thunder Bay Ranger Hockey Team by placing orders for TAVISTOCK MERRY CHRISTMAS A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY BROTHER JEFF TREVOR MIKUS visited. THANK YOU Thank you to all who sent sympathy cards, flowers, donations to the Cancer Society, fruit baskets, and But now life is different. My boys used to be more excitable, more hyper, anxious. Now they're more relaxed. ARF: So they're more calm now than used to be during the days when you were using drugs? Bob: Yeah, they're more relaxed around me. One day I would be alright the next day I would be strung out, or whatever. ARF: From the children's point of view you were an unpredictable in- dividual back then. Bob: Yes that's it. I didn't hit them but I'd scream at them, I'd break an ashtray or something. I just didn't have any control over myself. One thing they had to adjust to wae ma heine at home at reanular hours and things like that. Before I would be gone. three weeks .to a month and then come back for a week. My younger son doésn't remember that much but my oldest son remembers it. For him it was kind of strange at first. ARF: Do you kids ever talk to you about those days? Bob: My oldest son asks me, **Do you remember when you used to take that pot or smoke those cigarettes and your eyes were all red?", things like that. I say, "Yes." I like to explain to him what was happening with me. | like to talk to him about it. I don't want to hide it from him. I want him to know what | went through and want him to know what Bits and Bites o drug addict's true story could happen if he ever gets involv- ed with it. ARF Does the current situation at home provide you with the strength to stay away from drugs? In other words, do you feel you've gained a lot and don't want to lose it now? Bob: Oh yes, for sure. I hope | never get back into that life. I'm not saying I never will but I hope that I never do get back because I know | would never be able to accept it personally. If I ever do get right back where I was before I quit, I know that I wouldn't be able to cope with it. I'm going to lose too much out of it. That's what's keeping me straight. By Helene Ballard Greetings. No doubt you are all busy with shopping and other things, that big day is almost here now. I've been busy here at the home too. On Tuesday afternoon, the 16th, our bridge playing friends were over to play cards with the residents and we thank them for coming. Tuesday night we had a visit from the Brownies. These sweet little girls were all excited about Christmas. It was fun to listen to them sing and their dance number was full of pep. After their program, Pam Jones and Tracey Stachiw served hot chocolate and Christmas goodies- to all the residents. Johnson I suppose that all of us have heard someone say that we needsto put Christ back into Christmas or at least make. Christmas more Christ contained. Each of us that has a personal relationship with Christ would honestly have to admit that Christmas as it is celebrated today has robbed Him of His rightful place. Others suggest that we should give Christmas to the pagans and let them do with Christmas what they would. The only trouble with their line of thinking is that the basic point of Christmas is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born almost 2,000 years ago. Instead of surrendering that day to commerce and the desire of the flesh, let us believers re- emphasize the significance of the incarnation: It's good to remember the birth of Christ. Let's keep telling the wonder- ful story of His: birth. We need to make much of the Christmas pro- grams, which present the truth that He did come. In fact, the truth of the story of Jesus' birth is much more exciting than the many lies that are now continued on page 7 5 BOERS ALA E OSA G ARE YOU LONELY, DEPRESSED, TROUBLED BY TURKEY GAS? THEN DANCE YOUR TROUBLES AWAY! THE DAY AFTER BOXING DAY % p.m.-l a.m. at SCHREIBER REC. COMPLEX MUSIC -STEREO CLUB ADMISSION -°5. person *Age of Majority Cards Will be strictly Enforced* UV The girls had made pretty decora- tions for our tree which they put on before leaving for home. We thank them for their kindness in coming to see Us, it was most enjoyable. : Our big tree in the main lounge is beautiful. It was brought in by Chris and Sylvie and they picked a very nice tree- thank you both for your work. Thursday afternoon the C.W.L. of Schreiber were hostesses for our birthday party. We had two birthday kids this month. Elsie Dodds and Hugo Nygrist. On behalf of the residents I would like to thank these ladies for avery nice afternoon. We have more events coming up at Birchwood and I'Il tell you about them next time. For this week I'll say Cheerio. Take care and dress warm when you go out. Remember please, if you drink, don't drive- make it a safe Christmas. -THE TERRACE BAY SCHREIBER NEWS office will be CLOSED the WEEK OF DEC 24-28 Ore '(therefore NO Paper ON DECEMBER 31) BUSINESS will resume with Regular hours MONDAY DECEMBER 29 (CLOSED JANUARY 1) JANUARY 7th Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. LA TOWNE CINEMA for a great night out and the bestin new theatre releases 825-3771 THE LOBBY who knows movies better VHS & Beta Special thanks to PASTOR and MRS. MILNE. PROCEEDS TO DISABILITY ACTION GROUP The loss of my mother was very difficult, however the kindness shown lessened the sorrow. Your thoughtfulness has meant so much to us and | is gratefully appreciated. rentals Free Bus: Leaves Terrace Bay Rec Centre at 825-92 8:30 and 9:15 p.m. Return Trips at 12:30 p.m. and | a.m. 81 ont LUNCH WILL NOT BE TURKEY! ea ee > eS tbe 4d NC 454 : : ' Y -- DEC. 27th) : : : : A SY AN SY ANY ORY AOE BNL A Se ee i By