To Ed It’s been 10 years but we still think of you - from all your friends.

I love and miss you Chad each and everyday. I wish I had one more day with you to finish what I was going to say. There are so many times I want to call you to talk or just to hear your voice without you I feel so lost and empty. I want you to know I love more than words can say. You cross my mind each and everyday. Love your aunt Kimmie

Remembering my smart, beautiful, loving sister on this day. Juli was a glowing light to everyone who crossed her path. She lost her battle to addiction on May 15, 2015. Her death has affected by so many people as she loved without borders and was known as a friend to all. My family will never be the same and we all walk around with a broken heart every single day. We will be affected by this loss for the rest of our lives and hope that Juli's story will help save lives.

To my beautiful son, Salvatore Marchese. I thank you and God for giving me the honor of being your Mom. You truly are a beautiful soul and had a heart of gold. You touched so many lives and your memory will forever live on. I love you my son and you will be "Forever In My Heart"

We lost our son PJ 3/25/16. He left behind those who loved him so much & will forever miss him. Our lives will never be the same. I know you didn't mean to leave us, I'm so sorry we couldn't save you......Loving you & missing you forever. Mom & Dad

Oxford, Ct

Miss each and everyday dad

I miss you every day my sweet brother. I know you are watching over me and all of your friends and family, but it doesn't stop the pain in my heart.

My Dearest Son, Ryan Scott, I love you and miss you so much everyday. I will always keep you in my thoughts, and you will forever stay in my heart. I may be surviving, but I am not truly living without you. You were the sweetest, most giving, loving Son, and most deserving of a long, happy, prosperous life. I am looking forward to being with you again. Until that joyous day, we will stay closely connected. You are my precious Son, Ryan. ~ Mom

new columbia, pa, usa

My sweet angel, 21year old Chase overdosed on heroine in November of 2015...my love, my life, my best friend I, not anyone who knew Chase will EVER be the same I never knew anything could hurt so badly I am broken I am empty I can't wait to see his lovely face FLY HIGH MY SWEET DARLING YOU ARE SO GREATLY MISSED ...all I want for you, my son is to be satisfied...all my love xoxo

My son died of a heroin overdose in June 2008. He has a son who does not know how he died and I don't know how to answer the questions he may soon ask. I don't want him to feel negative about him. Please advise how I can do so. He was the most wonderful father and I don't want to destroy his memories for him x

For my funny, inventive, B-movie lovin' brother who passed from accidental toxicity 7 December 2002. We love you.

MY HOLIDAY MESSAGE TO ALL; Once again, it’s that time of year. Halloween is over. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and Christmas is only a few steps behind. Will this year be different than the last? Will I find the magic again? Wait. Let me revise that question: Did I ever feel the magic? As a bereaved parent, I have experienced only two holiday seasons. While I have physically lived through 59 holidays, emotionally, there have been only two: The holiday seasons before and the holiday seasons after my son’s death. The two categories are distinctly different. There is the black and white and the color, just like in the Wizard of Oz movie.  Remember how Dorothy steps out the front door of her house in the black and white world, and into the world of color in the Land of Oz?  Suddenly, BAM… she sees the world of “color” it was so beautiful! It made such an impression on me as a child. I eagerly awaited that part of the movie!  It was always my favorite part of the film.  Besides, color TV was new then and it was such a treat!! Well, now, my after world is in reverse. A colorful world pre Ryan’s passing over, and then…suddenly everything was in black and white. I would like to see color again. I have to believe I can see the color again. I have to. If memory serves me correctly, which God knows it doesn’t always do, I spent my first 10 or so years focused on material issues. Just like any other kid. Remember searching the Sears Catalog that came in the mail? Circling which things you just had to have Santa bring you? What would I get? What did I want? What would make me the happiest kid in the whole world? As I grew older and had my own little family, I spent the next several decades asking myself what I would get the boys. What did they want? What would make them love me more? How would I manage to pay for all of it? I always felt there was something missing . . . but didn’t really have the time or interest to find that missing something. Besides, why borrow trouble? Each year, by the time I realized that something was missing, the decorations were packed in their boxes and the tree was taken down. Pine needles all vacuumed.  I could always find the magic next year. There was always next year, right? I had counted on it. In the summer of 2015, Ryan died. Suddenly, my life ended its forward march and everything I had ever regarded as important became utter nonsense. When his heart stopped, my heart was not simply broken—it was ripped into shreds, emptied of what had fueled it over the span of the past 30 years of my life. I had no hope of waiting for it to heal and had to face the reality that only a total reconstruction would suffice. I had to release him to enter eternity and I would be left here on Earth to create a new heart . . . from scratch. That first fall was difficult. His birthday was in the fall, October 29th. We always celebrated a Halloween theme birthday when he was a youngster. Oh, what fun we had, Ryan and Joe! Dressing up together! I was still numb, still cushioned from the reality of it. The pain of Ryan’s death was just beginning to seep in.  The awful, horrible forever of it! It just couldn’t be true. Then it was Halloween, and the horror of what had happened was upon me. His first birthday in another realm, his first heaven birthday. How odd to contemplate? Thanksgiving came with Christmas on its tail, bringing an empty chair, a plate with no serving and an unbroken wishbone. A wish left unfulfilled and silence where laughter had once prevailed.  No phone calls…No, “hi, Mom, what are you doing!” Simple questions were really difficult, like….”how many children do you have?” Simple, right? They became horrible, gut wrenching experiences. Gulp…”I have two, I would say, one is here in Tennessee with my grand-daughter and one passed away this year…” Then, it happens, you know, the “pity” look. Ok, gulp again, deep breathe, I won’t cry again, I won’t, I won’t…darn it….here it comes. Life always surprises me. The holiday season of 2015 was devastating.  No tree was put up. I always had a tree, always. Reality had arrived, and I could not escape it. I could not out run it. I could not outcry it. I choose not to medicate it. I slept on his pillow every night and still do.  I would never again see Ryan bounce (yes, bounce!) through the front door with that mischievous grin that always made me a little nervous, thinking he was surely up to something! “Hey, Mom, what are you doing?” I would catch his little sideways glance, while tracking dirt or snow across my freshly cleaned carpet. Always telling me, “Mom, that’s the BEST TREE EVER!”  I would never again feel compelled to buy two of everything for Ryan and his younger brother, Joe.  I would never again . . . enjoy the holidays . . . or life for that matter. It was my penance, damn it! Yes, my penance for not fighting hard enough in saving him. For not protecting him! I held him in my arms as a baby and promised him. I would protect him! Oh, I tried!  As his mom, I should have saved him! It is the one thing, the one failure I will always live with. Yes, definitely black and white. One more happy family commercial on TV and I was going to absolutely lose it. So, suffice it to say, holidays can be hard. So, that first year, I find I had only one thought on my mind.  “If I can just make it through December, I will be okay.”  I wanted it over. It was just too painful. Like pulling off a band aid….slowly. You probably think I am going to tell you that this second year will be no different from the last.  You might even anticipate that I am going to tell you that it never gets better, that there is no such thing as healing, and that grieving parents will always be bitter and angry, especially during the times when families everywhere celebrate the season of giving and joy. Wrong. But don’t feel horribly bad; this revelation has totally shocked me also. So, here I am, quickly approaching year two. I have decided to cope differently. I will go forward and think about buying gifts in Ryan’s name for a well-deserved local cause.  I will hang his stocking right beside the rest of ours, light candles to include him in our celebrations, and smile cheerfully at everyone who offers their joy filled Merry Christmas!  My intentions are good after all. As I try to move forward and spread my Christmas cheer and goodwill toward men, my second season of joy, my second year of decking the halls, my second year of Ryan’s very physical absence. My plan has changed. You see, I still shed tears daily, when I am alone. I think I always will. They are not as prolonged as they once were. But, still they are daily.  I have accepted them; I welcome them like an old friend. I talk to Ryan daily and they flow. I know he is close, he is in my heart. I just can’t see him. Oh, I catch glimpses once in a while. In a crowd, a young man might look like him for a moment and it literally takes my breath away, or I may hear a voice for a moment and I think it sounds like him…just the grieving process I am told. But I feel him nearby from time to time and truth be told, I just plain miss my son. God has granted me some peace and a slow healing is taking place. A few days ago, on a chilly morning in October, I woke up and was amazed to see the change in leaves had arrived. Overnight, the world had gone from green to brown, to just a touch of gold, and red.  Squirrels were busy gathering nuts. Geese were flying over our house, honking loudly as they made their way south. It was beautiful! Later that day, I heard someone in my home actually humming! How dare they! But . . . I was alone. It was me.  That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Suddenly, it hit me. And no matter how guilty I feel in acknowledging it, I have to tell you. I am looking forward to the holidays. Oh . . . my . . . goodness!  How can this be? Why is this happening? Well, after much pondering and prayer, I think I know why. I was focused on the black and white, on the physical, on that which can be seen and physically felt. The first year was spent looking through a lens that was distorted and scarred by an intense, physical and overwhelming grief. I had focused on what was missing rather than on what was still here. The missing is still missing and it always will be! But those still here deserve more of what is left of me. Yes, I think I get it!! I feel I’ve learned how to not only endure—but to enjoy—a memory that can only be defined as bittersweet. I’ve come to appreciate that feeling emotional is really about feeling impassioned and alive. I grieve deeply because I loved him so very, very much. What a special person Ryan really was! So many people really cared about him. Oh, to be so loved!! And it is ok, really, that is why waterproof mascara really exists! And I think this year, as the songs start to play on the radio and the cards begin filling the mailbox, I will choose a different lens. I will choose a lens that captures that which we cannot see or physically touch, but that we know is there, just the same.  A lens that goes beyond the black and white. I will choose to see color! I will hang Ryan’s stocking beside ours, buy gifts in his name, play Santa for my granddaughter Lottie, light candles in his memory, and put a small holiday tree by his memorial, out under the big oak tree. But this year, I hope to do these things with joy rather than with bitterness and sorrow. This year, I want to grasp the hand of a homeless mother, kiss the cheek of a newborn baby, and hold a baby goat while it sleeps and goes to the place that baby goats go to when they dream.  I will go the mall to watch Santa as he holds wiggly, crying toddlers on his lap. I will dive around to view the Christmas decorations, exclaiming“oohh and awwwe” along the way.  I want to sing “Silent Night” on a clear, cold night in mid-December when it feels as if the entire world is sleeping. I want to feel the Christmas again that we cannot see. It is about hope and faith and love. This year, I want to remember who I really am. I want to make Ryan and his little brother, Joe proud of me. I want them to know there is a strength that comes from prayer and peaceful introspection. So, to my friends and family, please, don’t ever be afraid to say his name! Ryan lived a full life in a short amount of time.  He truly had no enemies. His life had purpose. He was dearly loved and is truly missed! He is both under my oak tree and traveling the open sea! How he would love both of those ideas!! I want to enjoy the months and years ahead. Not because I need to or because someone says it’s time to—but because—well, because I can. I can choose it. This year, I want to find the magic before it is time to put away the boxes. And I won’t stop searching until I find it. I choose to believe. So, let the tears fall from time to time, but with God’s good grace, I will choose to believe in seeing the color again. I know it is there, waiting for me. After all, it is what Ryan would want for me, of that I am very sure. Love each other, hug each other and forgive each other. Everyday! Merry Christmas to you and yours . . . Believe in God’s grace . . . expect miracles. Always and forever Ryan and Joe’s ever evolving Mom, Jeanne Visit Ryan and say hello at: Ryan P Frye@virtual memorials

John J & Richard K - Always remembered. Lynda B

Four years today... -Forever 20- An empty chair A dark room Clothes unworn The phone unrung Only the four walls know for sure, witness to his final breath and secrets revealed. Words unsaid No words Another day without him, then years. How can someone just be gone? Unfathomable He was one of us Retreating to that dark place, grasping for light A crushing sadness like no other Remembering a life no longer lived, frozen in time Peter Pan comes to mind Everything he has missed Everything we miss about him Memories fade, others come in waves His name unspoken The unspeakable tragedy Love still lives; it has nowhere to go Unreciprocated love Twinkling blue eyes That wry, crooked smile Silently laughing at the absurdity of life He didn't believe in dotting his i's He loved us all, but didn't say goodbye He visits in dreams Reborn as a hummingbird, iridescent wings flapping in eternity Joy coexists with agony Love never dies. 💗💗💗 California

To my angels, Mallory and Derek. Mallory died of a drug overdose on August 7, 2007 in my bed. She was my best friend, and more. Even after death she has been there to guide me on the road to sobriety. Derek was shot and killed as a result of this disease, and even though he didn't overdose, he was killed because of drugs and in my book that's just as bad, if not worse. They both continue to be there for me and guide me. I picked up a year medallion last night for the first time in years. It is just as much theirs as it is mine. I love you both and you will forever be in my heart. Until we meet again, it's see ya later, never goodbye.

To Drew- my blue eyed teddy bear. You know how much you are missed. I didn't realize how much a heart could hurt, until 26 June 07--- Forever and Always ---Mom

To remember my son Benjamin Burke, who died from a heroin overdose April 1, 2012  Ben struggled with heroin addiction for five years before he died at the age of 28.  He tried everything possible to battle heroin addiction and for this, his family is so grateful.  He loved AA and NA and graduated from 5 treatment centers, every time with great hope and support, but it wasn't enough.  It was Ben's third overdose.  This time I think he didn't want to be saved, didn't want to be found or revived.  I don't think this overdose was an accident.  I think he gave up.  He was tired and in his words "dumbfounded" at the power of heroin addiction.  Like any other disease, some will die even though they try everything possible.  Even if they have a powerful spiritual connection, some will still die.  Ben hated what the disease did to himself and to his family.  Suicide is not uncommon for heroin addicts in recovery.  Ben's family grieves every day but we take great comfort in knowing that Ben is finally free.

Ed, Even after almost 10 years my heart still breaks when I think of losing you. Without you I would not be me , I will forever love and miss you.

We miss you everyday little brother. Never forgotten, always in our hearts.

Boston, MA

For you my beautiful bray!!!!

In memory of my nephew, Ryan. "Tell me, did you make it to the milky way?" Love you forever and ever...you will never be forgotten.

To Jeff I myself as a pain pill addict have lost you, one of my nearest and dearest friends on January 9th. I didn't know how bad you actually were or I would have been at your house every day telling you how much I truly love you and told you to go back to meeting by my side. Jeff became addicted to crack again and was already hooked on pain pills. The combo killed him and I am so devastated. My own addiction has taken its selfish toll and I hadn't spoken to Jeff in the 2 weeks before his demise. Guilt and shame are killing me internally. Like I maybe could have prevented this or something. People keep telling me otherwise; that he wouldn't have listened. Jeff was the big brother from another mother that I wanted to strangle at times. I'm being facetious of course, but no matter what our differences he was there for me and vice versa. We both endured the same mental illness and understood each other's pain. There was more to Jeff than his addictions. He was a grandfather, a father, a husband and my best friend. I resented him for introducing to me pain pills at a vulnerable time in my life, but now it is up to me to quit. Jeff expressed his sorrow and he is forgiven. I want you back my friend though I know you're gone. You'll never be forgotten. Your real friends want to help me through this most difficult time. We miss you and your tender side. I miss coming to you for advice and your male perspective on my relationship issues. I'm so lost and I know you truly loved me for me. I saw you through the end my friend. Going to your funeral was the hardest thing I ever had to do....the last goodbye. GOD HELP ME. There's a huge hole in my heart though I know you found the peace you couldn't find on this earth. I love and miss you Jeff. Your friends Will keep your legacy alive. Goodbye.

PRINCE was my favorite human being of all time. He had more influence on the trajectory of my course in life than any friends or family members. I miss him dearly.. my dearly departed Prince Rogers Nelson. Please don't let his death be just another overdose. We need to stop this deadly practice. ?

Uncle Ed, Every single moment of every single day I think of you. I hope you know I'm working extra hard for you. I love you forever and always.

This tribute is in remembrance of my beautiful son Gregory who passed away on October 5th 2014 at age 23. He was the most amazing man and loved his family as much as we all loved him. He is terribly missed by both me and his dad, his three sisters and brother and many nieces and nephews who he loved so much. We will never forget you Gregory. Our lives will never be the same without you. We think of you everyday. He fought this terribly disease with all he had and with our support, but after 15 months clean it took my baby and changed our lives forever. My heart will forever be broken.  Love, your Mom

My son, Travis, passed away last August from heroin laced with fentanal.  Tomorrow I will meet with prosecuting attorney in Cleveland.  They want our input on a plea deal for drug dealer.  I feel fortunate that my sons case is even being prosecuted.  So for all the families that are not seeing any justice for their loved ones, I vow to fight as hard as I can to keep this drug dealer     behind bars as long as I can !  With more than 14 felonies including 4 gun charges, it is truly what he deserves. My tribute to all who have suffered this pain and grief.

My son Andrew Butz Jr was in and out of Jail. Last time he was in jail for driving under suspension was pulled out of much needed rehab. Was in jail for 4 months not being treated for the disease of heroine addiction. Died of a overdose on Aug 31, 2012 two days after he got out of jail.  We are fighting the stigma of this disease. We help addicts who want help get treatment in my son's memory and organization. www.ajbutzfoundation.org.   It still doesn't seem real. My heart goes out to anyone affected by this.

Jeremy, You were like my child even though you were my nephew. We lost you much too soon at the young age of 27. If your death means helping just one person overcome their addiction, at least your death would not be in vain. The only comfort I have is knowing you are in Heaven and have won the long fight of your addiction. I will always remember the good times. Love you forever, your aunt Jennie

Tiffany Gallagher we love and miss you like crazy your grandmother charlotte will be broken hearted to the end of time your 5 sisters and father are trying to go on in this life with out you here qe miss you Posted 30/10/2018

I lost my youngest son Dylan Yates at the age of 23 to a Heroin overdose on his first day out of a 30 day rehab. He was a cancer survivor when he was 15. He was an athlete, a fisherman, a welder, a friend, an uncle, and a grandson. He was also a lier, a their, and an addict. He was sick in many ways. He hated his disease. He loved his family. We tough loved him back. He will never be able to grow up. We will miss that when we miss him. We advocate for others with substance abuse disorders. If we can save only one life it will matter. Forever in our hearts. We love you Dylan!

Remembering my son, Valley.. Heroin discovered him in January of 2015 and took him from us on February 25, 2015... Forever 22 years, 2 months, 2 days old.. Forever in our hearts.. Our fight - "Valley's Vine; Stay Untangled from Heroin's Poison"

West Virginia

My angel and only daughter, 33, passed away on 5-5-13 from cardiac arrest, and I know that was from an overdose of drugs as she was highly addicted. She battled with sobriety for so long and her mind and soul were being taken by it. I write to her every day and I am so appreciative there is a National Drug Addiction Awareness Day, and I came across it on the Internet. Let my dearest daughter rest in peace and let her demons be taken by the angels Love Mom

For my favorite child for my baby boy....lost March 17th,2016. I will miss your silly sense of humor, your beautiful smile, and the way you always hugged me.....I will spend the rest of my life honoring your memory....
...mommy loves n misses Jamie
#flyhigh

East Rochester NY 14445

A little over five months ago we lost my amazing big brother Georgie at the young age of 26. He was a kind-hearted and very knowledgeable young man with many talents. He had struggled with the disease of addiction for years and it seemed an overwhelming and unbearable battle for him. He tried many times to seek help and but his addiction went far beyond the physical ailing. It was a mental battle every day. My brother was the funniest, loving, cool big brother and uncle to my two boys who you could ever want or imagine. He is so missed every single day and life will never be the same without him.  Every life matters! Overdose is an epidemic in my county and my state and in our country! Brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters need to be aware! I love you Georgie rest in peace

I lost my son, Michael to addiction. He was 33 years old. He tried many times to get into recovery, but there are not enough rehabs. He had so many demons. I pray he is at peace. This country needs to think outside the box and find ways to stop all these overdoses! What we are doing now is basically nothing! Too many families are suffering from having to bury their loved ones. S. Yarmouth, Mass., USA

Today I will be remembering my girlfriend Alice, who I lost almost exactly 12yrs ago. She was the first person who understood me, my addictions and my weirdness. She was truly effervescent, she brought a smile to so many faces and frustrated us all at times. Lost sadly to an overdose just four days before her 18th birthday in September 2002. I will miss your wit, your intelligence and your joy in seeing others doing so well. I am glad you came to buy some shoes with me :) for Alice, I love you always and your memory is so often the driving force to maintaining my recovery on my darkest days.

To all those out there hurting from a loss, prayers for strength and healing are sent your way. Please reach out and help those struggling with addiction. Recovery is a long road, but with the right resources and support there is hope for everyone. Fight the battle and win the war with addiction.

Cleveland, OH

Mikhaila (Misha) Throop, 18, June 8, 1993 - May 7, 2012. Prescription drugs. The world is not the same without you.

First, I am so saddened by the amount of beautiful souls that have been lost to this disease. I have watched so many lose this fight. I'm a mother of 3 boys who struggle with this... and April 11, 2013 I lost my youngest son Jordan to this. He was only 20 years old, and that phone call haunts me forever. I've been in recovery myself for years and would of thought my boys would see the hope in recovery and how it's possible if they want it! I will do anything to educate the youth or parents. And today I see just how powerful this addiction is, because my other boys still struggle even after losing their brother. My son Jordan was such a gift, like so many are. He loved people and always had a way to make people feel better but struggled with himself. He had a way to shine and bring out the best in others. I could go on and on about him, I just know my life will never be the same and I will forever miss him, his smile, and his presences here.Jean from Boston

To my brother who I miss every time I take a breathe. Kallen William S. forever 22. Mission, BC, Canada

My son Jeff Hyde (J) died from a heroin overdose 4/14/2015 at the age of 32.  Not a day goes by that I don't think of him and I miss him so.  I wish I could hug him and see his beautiful smile and dimple again.  We love him so, and pray for peace light and love.  I hope others can be saved from education and awareness and a change in the laws in Texas and other states for friends to be able help those that have overdosed and also to provide better access to rehabilitation programs.  In his memory I am attending the event in Austin Texas to try to save others.  Prayers go out to those that fight every day to remain sober and to those that lost their lives.  May we all learn more and work towards the better good.

My Beautiful Son Ephraim David Schultz, Born July 19, 1983 passed May 12, 2005. He is forever 21 years old. Loved, remembered and missed every day! Ephraim was kind, generous, loyal to his Family and altruistic. His memory lives on in our hearts every day. Until we meet again my son . Loving you always, Mom and your brother Josiah.

I learned just yesterday that my close friend of 13 years, Melissa Kosmin, passed away last week. She had been battling depression and anxiety for most of her life, and was on too many meds that weren't doing much to help. Over the years I saw her both at her best/highest and her worst/lowest. Countless times I talked her out of overdosing and taking her own life. I last talked with her on Sept 16th, she was the lowest I had ever heard her. She told me "I can't live this way anymore, I just want to end it". I asked her to meet me, to talk it over, but she never did. Three days later, on Sept 19th, she passed. She always said that her preferred method would be a pill overdose. She had an ample supply herself and had access to her mother's. She told me that her mother would be getting methadone in a couple of days for her pain, I suspected that she would target that. I don't know that she did, but I read in another post on this site that she overdosed. She was the most incredible, caring, gentle, kind, compassionate person I ever met. She was beautiful but couldn't see it. Her entire existence could be shattered by a few ill chosen words, such was her low self esteem, and try as I did to "toughen her up", to roll with the punches, she never grasped how to do it. She didn't ask for much, she wanted to be free of depression. She wanted a husband and family, to have her future husband propose to her with the snow falling, to honeymoon in the Caribbean. Things I could not offer her. But now she will never experience any of these. I told her it would happen, she just needed to get herself out there and people would find her. But her lack of self confidence prevented her from doing that. The pain of living finally got to be too much and she ended it. She always said to me that no-one would shed a tear if she was gone, I told her she was oh so wrong. And now that has been proven, I can't stop my own tears from falling as I am sure her family cannot too. I can't bring her any more flowers, all I can do is bring them to her grave. She broke my heart, I don't know if it will ever fully mend. Goodbye my Love.

Dad (May 31,1964- July 25, 2015) You passed unexpectedly for me at 51 years young. You were in pain and I'm not mad but I miss you. You were so hardworking and handy. I have no one to help me fix anything anymore. I really began to mature and appreciate how truly genuine, funny and talented you were just about a year before your death. It broke my heart. You deserved to win the lottery and deserved to walk me down the aisle and have the grandchild you were asking for (I'm waiting for marriage). You just deserved everything you wanted cuz you were just that cool. I can't get over how I will never see you again nor will I ever meet anyone as down to earth as you. I work with people your age and they are "not cool". You were a special friend to many people. I'm not just grieving over the loss, I'm grieving over your life that you lost. You were so happy and looking forward to things and I wish the wrong person didn't show up out of the blue July 25, 2015. You were doing so well until then. I miss you.

Scott, I think of you every day. How could I not? Mental illness took over. I am so sorry for that and wish there was something anybody could have done for you. Yes, you were the smartest person in the room but you were also the funniest. It was a struggle that was not to be overcome. I hope you are at peace. You knew this to be your destiny. That's sad. I hung out with you for a while at the cemetery today. Too many other young adults there for the same reason. 8/9/79-12/15/12. Mom

Taylor, It's been 9 years since you left us. Not a day has gone by that I haven't thought about you. You were one of the most incredible human beings I've ever met. I've been clean for over a year. I'm working with a non profit that is fighting this epidemic. And I've had you as my motivation and guardian angel the entire way. Thank you for showing me signs constantly. I love you and miss you. I hope you're proud of me.

<3

Posted 18/08/2018

I lost my cousin, best friend, someone like a brother to me on 6/23/17. After 7 years clean 1 relapse took his life. He was such a funny, passionate, talkative person. I'll forever be missing you. I love you so much Michael. I hope I'm making you proud. Michael J. Pawelek ♡ #Mouseforever 🐁 Buffalo, N.Y. usa

On Monday September 15, 2014, I discovered my newly titled boyfriend Frankie non-responsive. I immediately called 911 and they directed me how to give him CPR, mouth to mouth reccesitation. He was about 3 1/2 months clean and in recovery. The detectives found track marks on his arms and a syringe in the bathroom. They also found an empty bag of heroin. I had no idea he was using again and was left with so many unanswered questions and so much guilt. I think about him every single day and I keep replaying that morning in my head. He was so full of life and in the short time that he had touched my soul, he helped me so much and gave me so much hope. I truly loved him. The only way Im getting through this right now is by talking to people about it. Everyone thinks it's traumatic that I found him deceased but the most traumatic part is that he is no longer here with me. I wanted to reach out to others and let you guys know your not alone and you can get through this. I've also became more spiritual through this. Because of his passing I found myself reaching out to my higher power and I pray for Frankie everyday. He may not be here, but he will forever be in my heart and I will always try to keep his memory alive. He is never truly gone. He lingers in my mind and heart every single day. RIP Frankie 2/31982 - 9/15/2014

My son Nicholas McCann was born on June 25, 1995 and passed away on November 29, 2016 at home from fentanyl poisoning. He was only 21 years old. He loved auto mechanics, cars, music, tattoos, bmx biking and skateboarding. He had a great sense of humor and could bring a smile to your face and brighten up a room. He was a very loving boy and a loyal friend. He would give you the shirt off his back. He would do anything he could to help someone in need even though he couldn't help himself. Nicky was so much more than his addiction. I hate it that when some people see my son, they see a junkie. Someone who got what he deserved. My son had a disease of addiction, no one deserves that suffering that he had to deal with constantly. He didn't choose this, he didn't want to die, he had hopes and dreams just like everyone else. He was very much looking forward to the birth of his son in March. This disease is killing an entire generation of our sons and daughters. It does not discriminate who it takes. It needs to stop! We need to shatter the stigma! Woodbridge/ New Jersey USA

To my son James. I think of you all of the time. I miss you being here so tremendously. I hope you are at peace and watching over all of us. You were the best son a mother could ask for. I miss your enormous sense of humor, your giving and loving personality. I am so proud of you and the person you were here on earth. Fly on high dear angel.