Mike

In my mind, my brother has two dates of death.  They are both equally important.  June 23 is the day he overdose from a mixture of heroin and fentanyl.  He was alone, he essentially suffocated to the brink of death, then he was found and emergency services were called.  No one knew how bad it was.  The lady he was staying with, called me while I was on vacation to say that he was on his way to the hospital and they didn’t know if he was going to make it.  I called the hospital and all they could tell me was that he was alive.  We would come to find out that his brain damage was extensive, and that the only functions that he had left were reflexive.  He could breathe, he could move his head and body to a certain extent, and he could blink and open his eyes. I tried so hard to get those eyes to focus on me, but they never did.  My heart was in denial until the last day.  He wasn’t there anymore.  Still, for 13 days, we, his family, loved him and took care of him in a way that we hadn’t ben able to in years.  His life style had taken him away from us long before death did.

On July 6th, his body was freed of suffering, and he passed away surrounded by family and love.  He was 23 years old.  He left behind a son, who he loved deeply, and that is the saddest part.  Mike never knew his father in a real way, because he passed away when Mike was young.  Now, unfortunately, history repeats itself.

People have so many opinions about drug addicts, and I get it.  I get the anger.  I get the indifference and the lack of compassion.  They deserve it, right?  Good riddance, right?  I was like that too before it affected my life.  The thing is, that now it’s affecting most peoples lives.  You either are an addict or you know one.  Addicts come from all walks of life.  Addiction does not discriminate.

In remembrance of Mike, I’d ask you to pray for or reach out to someone you know who is suffering.  Don’t forget that families of addicts suffer too.  If you are an addict, please seek help.  You aren’t alone, and someone cares.

This picture is both heartbreaking and precious.  It is the only picture I have of Mike and my daughter.  They never officially met, which is something I’ll regret forever.  If you love an addict, tell them every single day.  It’s been three years, and I miss you more every day, Mike.  Love you forever.

July 6, 2018 by Cassie Bowman