Yes, Julie. It's up to you.

My friend Julie is an addict. She’s hooked on alcohol. Wine, specifically. That’s her beverage of choice. Cheap wine. No fancy expensive French or Italian wines.  She could afford the best. But to Julie, wine is wine. Price is incidental. So give Julie credit. For economizing. Also, give Julie credit. For trying to recover from her addiction. To bring it under part, if not total control. She’s learned to stay sober. Most of  the time. But she’ll imbibe. Once or twice a week. One can tell. Automatically. When that happens. Julie’s personality changes. Dramatically. Some of her closest friends. Don’t hesitate to call an intoxicated Julie a mean-spirited bitch. In contrast to her usual sweet demeanor. When sober. Yes, it’s Jekyll and Hyde. Anyway, Julie is making progress. In drug therapy. With other addicts. Four times a week.  She hasn’t graduated yet. No diploma. Because Julie, like most addicts, is a bold-faced liar. Sadly, she not only lies to others. But to herself.  Julie doesn’t want to face the truth. That to fully recover from alcoholism, she has to remain sober. All the time. Not even  risking a sip of her precious cheap wine. Julie hasn’t reached that stage yet. Maybe never will. But Julie’s true friends. Still  believe in Julie.  They wish for the best. Knowing. It’s up to Julie. To make the wishes come true. Yes, Julie. It’s up to you. --Jim Broede