Death of a Legend

A football legend died on Friday. All the big football clubs marked his death at their matches - some with a minute's silence, some with a minute's applause (I like that).
George Best was a brilliant footballer in his day and nobody can take that away from his memory. I celebrate his skills and recognise greatness when I see it.
Like George I was born in Belfast.
Like George I have problems with vices. I am really struggling with the smoking thing - but I will make it!
Unlike George I don't have the money or the charisma to attract women. He could have any woman he wanted. I am very happy with my long-suffering wife.
He had a wife who loved him. She is beautiful. Many men would kill to have her. She stuck by him through most of his problems but finally had to give up the fight and leave him when he abused even her trust.
George drank his liver to extinction.
He was given a second chance - someone else's liver.
He swore he would look after it and justify the gift of a second chance.
George abused it. Because of that abuse he lost his wife, any sensible respect he should have had and - finally - his life.
We can all see parallels between George Best and our own lives. Things we should do better, things we shouldn't do. We know what we should do - but we don't always have the strength of character to do it.
Why am I taking the time to write this crap?
Because it is important. Because I think "There, but for the grace . . ."