One of the reasons for his drinking, Henry said, was John's mama used to make the whole family get down on their knees and pray like fury everytime John's daddy--Henry's first cousin, I believe--would come home boozed, and John never quite got it straight that they weren't thanking the good Lord for his blessing same as they did at the supper table. So according to Henry booze come to be sort of holy to him and with faith like that John grew up religious as a deacon.
Henry recounts how John's family reacted to his father’s drinking habits, noting that they would kneel in prayer whenever he returned home intoxicated. This practice instilled a sense of reverence for alcohol in John's life, as he misunderstood this form of prayer as a blessing rather than a desperate plea for help. This confusion led to a complicated relationship with both faith and alcohol.
As a result of these experiences, John developed a strong sense of religion, aligning himself closely with his family’s beliefs. His upbringing, marked by the intertwining of spirituality and alcoholism, shaped his identity and contributed to his devout nature, akin to that of a deacon. The narrative illustrates how family dynamics and early life experiences can significantly influence one's values and perceptions.
