By
Andrew DeMarco
There is an old saying that I am not really sure how it goes but the gist is this. You never know what it is like to experience a tragedy or heart break until it happens to you or someone you know. I learned this lesson a few weeks back when I heard that a friend of mine and his family went through a tough time. I call Gary my friend even though I don’t see him that often. I have known Gary for over 15 years and although we don’t travel in the same circles, whenever I do see him it feels like he is someone I’ve known a lot longer. I heard that Gary’s only son passed away just before last Christmas and I offered my condolences. I later learned that his son had died as the result of a drug overdose.
I spoke with Gary after I learned this and he felt the way most parents would namely the he should have done more to prevent it. He saw some of the signs but never really put them all together. I am sure he heard from countless others telling him that he did all he could do so there was no need for me to tell him the same, so I left it at that. I learned that his son was a victim of the opioid abuse epidemic. An epidemic which reaches new levels every day and our politicians talk the talk but don’t do much about this issue.
I just cannot imagine what he has gone through, but I feel his pain and I know how difficult this had to be for him. This may sound weird, but I felt honored that he was able to be so honest with me and it was evident in the way he spoke with me.
Gary did his grieving but once that was over he became a man on a mission. He showed me a letter he had written where he made his feelings known and it is posted below. He then told me that when he has time he would print some up and randomly go to mall parking lots and leave them on car windshields hoping to get the attention of the public and make them aware of a national epidemic.
You might be asking., “how can you possibly make a Rosy Glow moment out of this tragedy?” Well let me tell you it is a lot easier than you think. Take this Rosy Glow and pass it on to just one of your friends. More importantly take the letter and pass it on to your Representatives in Washington and here in New York or whatever state you may live in. It will give you a sense of accomplishment and hopefully wake up all these deadwood politicians which we have today and give you that feeling which Cousin Bob would call that ….. Rosy Glow!
I know it did for me!
Bob's Rosy Glow 