​When I was 20, I lost my dad to alcohol addiction, he had cirrhosis of the liver and died at 40. I was told he had no brain activity after his surgery he was fine but got pneumonia and we said goodbye and they said there was brain activity so back on life support. In 1987 they said a possible transplant so everyone made me go home because I was pregnant but had no car. They called a few days later telling me to hurry but I was to late because he passed away before I got there. My niece grew up with marijuana and pills used by a family member and his friends, she got prescriptions for pain pills and then did street drugs to deal with the pain. She lived farther away so I had no idea, got a call at a restaurant and told she died. They told me she would get so drugged up and were about to force her into rehab due to her having a son. She was the sunshine of our family and then my nephew from another sibling hung himself 2 years later while doing drugs with his bedroom door. All he had to do was stand up..my brother found him. We honor him at suicide prevention walks and raise money but our Danielle gets nothing and it tears me up inside. Love you my lovely sweet Zip!!

by Melissa Gandee