I Am one of You Forever

Luden Sorrells

What is it about the smell of whisky that soothes a man’s soul? Recently I went to visit my family, the Robert’s, in the mountains of North Carolina. The first thing I did when I stepped out of the car was try and smell that glorious aroma. My name is Luden Sorrells. Better known back home as Uncle Luden. I have what some might call a monarch reputation as a drinking man. I moved away from home at the age of sixteen and headed toward California on my motorcycle. Although I’ve been there for years, the scenery just doesn’t compare to my hometown. I find myself missing home oftentimes but, living with a controlling mother wasn’t always that easy. Once settling in California I became a bit of a lady’s man, but it got me in trouble every now and then. My life is full of adventures and unfortunately alcohol tends to be a part of them.

I know that it hurts my mother to see me struggling with alcohol. While at home visiting I stayed out drinking some good ole whisky one night. At the time it was fun, but when I got back to the Robert’s house I wasn’t feeling so good about it. So I set up my dolls in a line of twelve and shot each one. After shooting them I recited the twelve steps from alcoholics anonymous. The whole time my momma was watching from the porch. I felt just awful that I had made her cry and I apologized to her for being drunk again. She was understanding, but she wasn’t always so easy to get along with. When I was a boy, she was a little controlling at times. She ran the farm and had me working it for her. I never liked the farm life much. That is why I took off the first chance I got to California. I got a real job making cash money. Every once in awhile I would send a check out to my momma. I felt bad for leaving her behind on the farm. I thought I might be able to help in some way, even though I wasn’t