Katherine

My son James died of a heroin overdose on 6-29-15 at the age of 19. He was due to earn his master scuba certification and then off to university August 27. James had done so well but began to slip into a bit of a depression. On the 29th I heard him get out of bed to go to the bathroom, wash up and brush his teeth. All sounded fine. Three hours later he was dead in his chair and I will never forget that day. We are all becoming more aware of how these young (and older) people are dying and what an epiddemic heroin has become, but I want to impart on you how James lived his life. He did not wake up one day and decide to be an addict….he wanted to be a marine biologist, get married some day and have a family. He was well groomed, clean, funny, smart and a firecely loyal friend. James was compassionate and empathetic. He would help anyone in need at any hour and his smile brightened most prople’s lives. As his Mum I am still struggling with why…what did I miss…what didn’t I see or do…it happened on my watch. I miss him so much it hurts and I know the pain will be with me forever. I would give anything for one more hug…one more kiss good night…one more smile. My hope is that there is an after life and James is at peace. I don’t think I could go on unless I believed that.