Dangerous Choices

As soon as I saw the advertisement in the school newsletter, I knew I would be attending this event with the boys.  The event?  A lecture at the Duxbury PAC put on by The Parent Connection.  I know.  Lecture?  Parent Connection.  Well, the Parent Connection is a local organization that tries to help the local parents become better parents.  Lectures, workshops, classes, etc.  All kinds of training.  They actually put on a talk by a former Boston Celtic that grew up in MA (check old posts).  So what's so noteworthy about another lecture?  The talk was titled, "Danger Choices" and it was being delivered by Chris Herren.
     I had seen bits and pieces of the documentary on Chris Herren called "Unguarded."  I was familiar with the published accounts of the "fall from grace" of a local Boston sports figure.  I knew that this would be a worthwhile expenditure.  But it delivered far more than I built it up to be.  It's always amazing when something over delivers on expectations.  Awesome.  Phenonemnal.  Tremendous.  You pick the adjective.  It wouldn't do it justice.
     Chris was an engaging speaker.  He was honest.  His message was right on.  He focused on the decisions and the consequences.  The consequences to him and to those around him.  This was not your cliche "Don't do drugs.  Drugs are bad." speech.  This was not the I was the next big thing but blew it.  Sure there were themes about those things.  But this talk was so much more.  The standing O at the end was well deserved.
     If you are not familiar with Chris's story, I would recommend you seeing the documentary or attend one of his talks.  After all the years of dependence and what he and his family went through, to be able to do what he is currently doing is mind blowing.  Sure, it appeared that he was destined to be a professional basketball player, and an All Star at that.  But maybe this is what he was meant to do.  Maybe this was the destiny.  In a way, he is an All Star.