Craig Castle:
CLASS OF 1978
La Jolla High SchoolClass of 1978
La jolla, CA
Craig's Story
Well, here I am, doing something that I have said that I wouldn't do. But I am already glad to be here. Before I get started into my own story, I truly hope and pray that all of you that were my fellow students at La Jolla High are healthy and happy, that life has been a joy and that you have lived fruitful lives as God has told us in Genesis.
When I decided to join Classmates.com, I really ddn't know what to expect and I didn'texpect what I am doing now. Once I signed up, or more honestly, got somewhat hijacked into this, I found that I wanted to know more about what I may have "missed". I broke out my old high school annuals and started looking through the pictures. When I realized the tremendous opportunity I missed by not getting to know more of the students at that time, what can you say, what can you do. I am sorry that I didn't take the time to get to know more of you, take the time to be more supportive of you, to be a potential blessing instead of an unknown to you.
I, on the other hand, bacame an alcoholic. I was one in high school. My car was a rolling liquor store all the time. Why God allowed me to live, I don't know, but I am thankful. I tried to destroy everything HE gave me, and yet HE allowed me to go be a supportive force in Guatemala twice, Honduras after hurricane
Gilbert, and in the Dominican Republic. I have seen a garbage dump turned into a church and school where the children laugh and play under surpervision of loving, caring parents, where something as ridiculous as tying shoelaces from one student to another for fun became a most enjoyable game. Simple things to me have appeared to be the best.
Anyway, sorry for somewhat rambling. I did amazingly graduate from UCLA in Mechanical Engineering. That in itself is a miracle. When I decided to use the brain that God gave me, I did well. When I chose to let the alcohol do the talking, well, opps. I am probably the only person to ever graduate from a major college or university with more qurters on "subject to dismissal" or "std" than anyone else. Why UCLA kept me on after two consecutive q...Expand for more
uarters on "std", I don't know. I believe that was an act of God. I needed to graduate from UCLA. My ego required it. I wasn't stupid, just an alcoholic.
Despite me, I did learn alot. I learned how to think. I learned how to find information. I learned how to put things together from various sources. I was glad to see that there was a purpose to my "alcoholism".
Before I bore anyone choosing to read this far,there is one thing that I want and need to say. From the time I was a little kid, I felt better than everyone else. I miss understood the feeling that I had. I am not better than anyone. What I have come to understand is that I am not perfect. That was devistating. I am not as good as a person, as an athelete, as a student, as an employee, etc. as I thought. That is just one of the reasons I became an alcoholic. I tell you the truth that I shouldn't be here today writing this on Classmates today because of my alcoholism. Many times my back ached for days because of my drinking. My kidneys screaming "Have mercy on us". I believe wholeheartedly in God, in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I get periodically lambasted at work for my faith, which is okay. I expect it. But I would not be their friend, and I would not be your friend if I held back the truth. They at work have said, "That is as you see it". They are right. My only response is,"If I believe this or that, do you want me to tell you otherwise?" They always want me to tell them what I believe. Once again, sorry for being wordy.
I know that what I have written would not have been considered a good outline, I never did well in English, but it is what has happened and what i believe. If anyone gets this far, and I truly hope someone suffers this, that you leave an e-mail or phone number, etc. to say hello. There is more to say, but much more than this and you might find yourself back in the 80's movie "Airplane" with the lead character boring the passengers with HIS story to the point of their suicides.
Anyway, I hope for health and happiness for all of you and God bless you and your families.
Craig
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