Stars

Yes, I know - it's Superbowl Sunday. People are are watching "the big game." This house is hosting a small, gastronomic feast for the teen boys. Me, I bought it all and now I am just hanging out in the basement - yes, the game is on.

I worked like a dog last week - the salon was slammed and the hours were longer than usual. This is a good problem to have.

I knew I couldn't possibly write something yesterday morning; I needed the extra hour of sleep before I had to head on back to work to do it all again.

So, here I am.

Today, Peter and I looked through Facebook at the beautiful posts made in the young man's name who died the other day. Beyond awful. Heartbreaking. Achingly sad. My own thoughts go to his mom and his sister, two people I spent winter and spring lacrosse with. His cousins, girls I have known since they were young; one of whom I sat on the sidelines with for CYO basketball for years and now too, on the sidelines of lacrosse with her parents. My heart aches for them all. I can't even begin to imagine how exhausted from grief they must be. 

The group of people who want to spread the word about the toll drugs take on a family is growing. Many of us are the choir. We've been stepping up and doing what we could for years. There are more than a few people involved with loved ones who are addicted to something.

And then, just today, at age 46, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is pronounced dead due to a drug OD.

Addiction has no age limit. 
Emotional havoc has no age limit.
Grief has no time limit.

Talk until you are blue in the face to your kids. Fight with them FOR them. One of the posts I read from someone said that their son was in jail, without visitors since the end of June, in another state. The part that gave them peace was knowing he is still alive.

My tiny little village has it's own police force. One of the detectives, my friend Mike, took to FB today as a dad and a cop. This is what HE wrote:

Hey....we've had two tragic losses due to Heroin in our area and I've gotten calls and messages on what we can do as a community. I'm not going to make a long winded speech because you know what the deal is, but I will say what may work and help us hold this problem at bay....First, know your kid's new friends. If they aren't the friends you are used to seeing, question your kids about them and their families and use your gut feeling (if you've heard bad things...nine times out of ten, they are probably true) If you need, do as much background on these new "friends" as you can...if your kids overly defend them, there's a big RED flag. Second, if their interests in music, hobbies or life in general do a 180 degree, investigate (you will get called on it by your kids, but ignore them and keep digging....what's the most your kids will do....say they hate you?...whatever!...keep digging) and finally, if you uncover anything that you don't know about...call the police and ask...we will answer whatever question you have.....and help you. ...Guida

No matter how dark a life gets, it still CAN shine.

Keep your ears open, keep your eyes open, be a parent, not a friend - you can be a friend when they graduate college and can support themselves.

xo

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light
'Cause it's time for you to shine
Brighter than a shooting star
So shine no matter where you are
Tonight

http://youtu.be/Uq8Dgcy4MDY