In Memoriam

Reflections On My Son’s Addiction [In Memoriam]

• Bridge2Hope
• September 18, 2013
• Addiction, Child, Family, Reflections On My Son's Addiction

(Upon the overdose death of an addict we loved) You will remain anonymous in this tribute, but ONLY in this tribute. Your family, friends, customers, and fellow addicts know who you were and will never forget you. I am sure you had no idea how many people loved you, cared about you, were concerned about you and are now missing you. Love is so intangible while we are alive. It surrounds us like sunshine on

a bright summer day, yet sometimes we don’t see or appreciate it….until it’s too late. I went to your viewing last night, and was stunned at the number of people who were there to celebrate your short life and to express their grief at your passing. The intangible love that surrounded you when you were alive became poignantly tangible last night. You would have been surprised by this outpouring of emotion and most likely would have felt that it was undeserved. But it wasn’t. I remember you as a sincere young person who really wanted to recover from your addiction. You were proud of your involvement with Narcotics Anonymous and were sponsor to a number of addicts who were just starting to “get” recovery and all that recovery means. You demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by establishing your own business and responsibly fulfilling your commitments to your customers. You even helped some of your fellow addicts with employment when they were down and out and desperately needed a helping hand. You had a sense of humor and an outgoing personality and both of these traits endeared you to all with whom you came in contact. You had your ups and downs in life, including some tough times financially; with relationships; and with relapses. Yet, you touched other peoples’ lives in a very deep and personal way. We loved you unconditionally, even when you disappointed us. And now we love your memory. Every person in God’s creation has value in His eyes and in the hearts of family and friends. We all wish that we could have done something to help you at the time you so obviously needed it. We grieve at your passing and re-dedicate ourselves to helping others in similar circumstances. Your life was not in vain…it will be an inspiration to many of us to work even more diligently in the fight against the drug epidemic in our community, state and nation. We loved you and you will be missed. “Reflections on My Son’s Addiction” is a collection of essays that John C. wrote to himself that made the journey easier to understand and good decisions easier to make. Read more of John’s essays