Don't Blink

Four years have passed since I snapped this picture in Castlewood Canyon. Lauryn and I were taking Sam down to meet the new pup we had picked out the weekend before. We stopped for a hike along the way. Sam was looking forward to meeting his future "chick-magnet", a 7 week old precious and adorable Luna.

We often fail to appreciate moments like these until they are a distant memory. I, for one, don't always think of time as a gift but it's actually the most important one I have ever been given. Sam had started his first out-patient treatment just two months before this photo was taken. To my knowledge, at this time, he had tried every drug except heroin. The clock was already ticking, I just hadn't realized how quickly.

Since that day, he tried and became addicted to heroin, overdosed once, nearly lost his arm (and life) a second time, has been to a total of 5 treatments, has briefly lived on the streets, has become a convicted felon, and has served more that 18 months incarcerated.

Many people in my shoes have not been given the opportunity to make more memories. What a gift. More chances to support and love Sam.

My hope is that these two have many more years to hang out together. My reality is that life will never again be as uncomplicated as it was back then. It might be much better, it obviously could get a whole lot worse, but it will never be as simple and innocent as it was that day.

Therefore, I will appreciate how easy it is right now. Sam is in the best possible facility he could be in and he is close to home. None of us ever have to drive to Crowley again. We will not miss the drive, we will not miss the place, and we will not miss the people.

Sam has been given this amazing opportunity. Life is good. We are blessed.

Where there is life, there is hope. #nomoreshame