Dear editor,

I just couldn’t run anymore. I finally fell on the basement floor and continued to feel the pain from his belt and prayed it would end soon. I could hear him screaming at me “You won’t do that again” as he staggered up the stairs. It was finally over for me. I climbed upon the couch and cried till there were no more tears. As I lay there I could hear the screaming and busted glass upstairs and knew this horror was never going to end. Could your child be feel-ing that pain?

Here I lay just a little boy beaten so badly I couldn’t take it anymore. So I took what I thought was a rope and ran it over a rafter. I tied the rope around my neck and jumped. As the rope broke free and slipped from the rafter I fell to the couch. I knew I’d never escape from the hurt I had in my heart. Would drinking be that important if those were the feelings of your child or loved one?

Don’t ever think alcohol and the destruction it causes leaves the memories of those it touches. My stories are like those of so many others who suffer in silence the pain and hurt they have faced, or must deal with every day. But stories, statistics, or even actual violence in the home will never stop the drinkers. I’m more concerned for the family values we have slowly let slip away. I believe if you want to have your city prosper and grow, build it to fit the needs of the families that want to come. Support our churches who in turn help the needy and the very children I’ve mentioned above who need our help.

Please I ask that you dig deep in your heart and try and understand that we don’t need the passage of alcohol sales on Sunday. We need to spend precious time with our loved ones. We need to visit our family and friends and share happiness. To learn from the many who have lost loved ones that life is precious and family time would be a great comfort to all of us. This issue will never be solved with statistics or charts. But it can be with your vote. Re-member when you hold your child, granddaughter, or any loved one: Do you want their last thoughts of you to be the smell of alcohol?

Richard Egeland, Fort Oglethorpe