25 years ago tonight I was arrested for public intoxication and resisting arrest. I was a teenaged idiot who drank too much Jim Beam and decided to try to fight a cop.

If the arrest wasn't bad enough, I drank so much I got acute alcohol poisoning and had to be rushed to the ER, spending 3 nights in the hospital.

This is certainly no night to celebrate, and one I've spent well over half my life wishing had never happened. I lost my driver's license for 6 months, had to do 100 hours of community service, pay over $2000 in fines and got sent to court ordered alcohol rehab (which was actually funny - this was my first ever experience with drinking and I got stuck in meetings with hardcore alcoholics). Beyond all that though, I dispappointed my Mom in ways I never imagined I could.

I eventually earned back her trust, but I'll never forget the look in her eyes when I finally woke up. It's something that's burned into my memory forever. All the legal punishment in the world couldn't hold a candle to the completely sunken feeling I got when i saw her looking back at me. A look filled with equal parts love and shame.

I only realize now I've spent so long trying to make up for that mistake. While she hasn't been here to see the last 11 years worth, I hope she knows how hard I've tried.