Grieving Overdose Death

Angela lost three of her four siblings (Nicky, Steven & Cindy): two passed away from an overdose and one from a massive heart attack. She remembers them with pictures and other special mementos, and by telling their stories. She copes by keeping busy with helping to raise her sisters' children, plus listening to grief podcasts, attending grief meetings, and reading books such as, "It's OK That You're NOT OK" by Megan Devine. She also plans to participate in National Fentanyl Awareness Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). You can find more information here: https://www.fentanylawarenessday.org/

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Jack was an excellent student, and enjoyed sports throughout his elementary and high school years. He graduated from college with a major in actuarial science and landed his first job. But his mother, Maribeth, said he worked very long hours, and although he sometimes said he enjoyed it, she thought the isolation and long hours were very stressful for him. He left his job and eventually became a bicycle courier. He suffered for 10 years from depression, and later developed an addiction to heroin. Maribeth said that Jack's pain became unbearable and he died in his home at the age of 35. Maribeth shares a tribute to her son at: https://www.forevermissed.com/jack-heston/about

She also thinks about the following philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and quoted by Joseph Campbell: "Nietzsche was the one who did the job for me. At a certain moment in his life, the idea came to him of what he called 'the love of your fate.' Whatever your fate is, whatever the hell happens, you say, 'This is what I need.' It may look like a wreck, but go at it as though it were an opportunity, a challenge. If you bring love to that moment—not discouragement—you will find the strength is there. Any disaster you can survive is an improvement in your character, your stature, and your life. What a privilege! This is when the spontaneity of your own nature will have a chance to flow."

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Nickoli was a beautiful soul who never felt like he was heard or loved. His mother died from an overdose when he was very young, he didn't know his father, and he was shuffled among family until he landed in his forever home with his adoptive mom, Angelique. From the day he joined her family, he called her mom and her children considered him an older brother. He passed away from a fentanyl overdose when he was only 18 in 2021. This epidemic is horrible and is taking our youth, says Angelique who prays, listens to grief podcasts, and joined Facebook groups to cope.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Brandi had a typical childhood: she participated in sports, dance, girl scouts; went on family vacations; and had lots of family get-togethers. But as she got older, she became argumentative and got into a lot of trouble. It wasn't until her sister, Kaylee, was taking a psychology course that she determined that her sister fit the description of someone with bipolar disorder. At first Brandi smoked pot but got mixed up with opioids after this was prescribed after her second pregnancy. She passed away from an overdose at 39 after a life of struggling with addiction. Kaylee advises not to go it alone when dealing with grief, and to join a grief group or go through one-to-one counseling.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Aaron loved music, debating, and getting together with friends and family. He was also an avid reader and taught himself to read before he even started school. His mom, Sheryl, was his biggest fan. However, Aaron dropped out of school at a young age and started down the wrong path. After he turned 22, Sheryl got the call that no parent wants to get. At first, Sheryl coped by listening to this podcast and later joined with other moms who lost a child. She felt very strongly about paying it forward with her own story since she learned by listening to others.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Josh was a great person who happened to have both the disease of addiction and the disease of depression. It was his birth father who introduced Josh to heroin when he was 13 years old, setting up his path to a lifelong habit. He overdosed from fentanyl poisoning in a sober house in 2016 when he was 32, leaving behind his beautiful daughter, Grace. He is still remembered by so many today, according to his mom, Susan. He bought food for struggling addicts, helped addicts get to meetings, and helped one person get recovery through giving money toward a ticket out of town. Susan copes through her artwork (featured on Instagram: SusanCarr88), and by listening to "Ram Dass: Here and Now".

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Jillian was a "very wanted baby" who was a good student and could make anyone laugh, according to her mom, Jackie. As she got older, she became depressed and suffered from anxiety, and turned to alcohol and marijuana. In later years, she joined a gang and was introduced to methamphetamines. She tried to become sober but her addiction was terminal until her death at age 21 in February 2022. Jackie is filled with both overwhelming grief and relief that her daughter is free of pain, depression, anxiety and torment. Jackie copes by accepting compassion and love from family and friends, and listening to podcasts of people who have experienced a loss of a loved one.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Maya loved make-up and art, and talked about being a make-up artist to the stars! She was sweet, caring and a positive person. But her mom, Rosa, said she noticed her daughter began changing as she entered her teenage years. Maya was caught drinking vodka, then smoking marijuana. She was diagnosed with severe depression and placed on Xanax. She eventually started taking cocaine and passed away two years ago from fentanyl poisoning when she was 19½. Rosa’s last message to her daughter, who did not want to be alone, was that you are never alone because God is always by your side. When her daughter passed away, Rosa immediately took on the guilt for what happened. She now realizes that it was not her fault and does not think anyone should blame themselves for an overdose death of a loved one.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Kristina was a straight "A" student who loved cheerleading, dancing and gymnastics. Life was wonderful with her parents and older sister, Michelle, until she turned 15 and was introduced to heroin by her boyfriend. From that time, her life was a struggle to stay clean. Everything seemed to be going well in January 2022, when she had a relapse. When called to her parent's home, Michelle describes how the paramedics only saw an addict, branded her a junkie and did not try to save her. In her quest to make a difference in the name of her sister, Michelle would like to break the stigma of how addicts are viewed and treated by society.

Michelle's words, "Society has labeled drug addicts as criminals, worthless degenerates, and second-class citizens. Addicts are harshly discriminated against, seen as less than human, considered worthless at first glance. This country needs to understand that addicts are still PEOPLE! Their lives are no less valuable because they suffer from addiction! If more effort was focused on jailing the drug dealers, policing our borders, and helping those suffering from addiction, perhaps real change could be affected. Rehabilitation over incarceration, now that's a lovely thought!

"How many millions of lives are sacrificed each year that never had a chance? For an addict the struggle against addiction is akin to fighting a war alone and without any weapons against a superpower. For many like my sister, their addiction started before they were an adult. A naive, immature, impressionable teenager who made a mistake, a mistake that triggered a powerful addiction that began a lifelong battle."

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida

Jason loved learning and was a joy to be around. He dreamt of being a pilot and set out on his life's journey. However, during his first college semester, he broke his elbow, was placed on pain medication and everything changed. He dropped out of college and spent many years in the throes of addiction. His mom, Dianne, dreaded getting "the call" and on July 1st, 2019, that day came when she found our Jason had passed away at 34.

Dianne tries to concentrate on not asking "why" but asking how she can find meaning in her life. She honors her son's memory through painting, prayer, poetry and placing her son's picture on a card asking others to perform random act of kindness in Jason's name. She also became involved with the MISS Foundation https://www.missfoundation.org/ where she found support services for her grief.

If you would like to join Dianne's support group, please contact her at [email protected]

An Invitation to Awaken

(Composed by Jason's mom, 3/11/21)

The loss of a child ~raw, relentless and unbearable,

I refuse to vanish in its wake.

To my longing and tired heart, I hold you tenderly bearing witness.

To my senseless incessant chatter, I evoke mindful loving kindness.

Moments of grace invite Holy reflection, asking me to stay... and to Trust.

I died too, to whom I once was; now, a bereaved mother.

Yet, I slowly awaken to who I am becoming, God's grace gently renewing my aching soul.

I feel more deeply and love more fiercely, with a more divine compassion for all human suffering.

Together in Spirit, my beautiful boy and I, as close as my breath.

Forever and always, awakening to the mystery.

Love, not addiction wins.

If you would like to tell your story about an overdose death, please contact Susan Claire at [email protected]

http://grievingoverdosedeath.libsyn.com/

Music provided by La Atlántida