How Grief, Grace, & Gratitude Helped

Rhonda's podcast gave me, and others, the opportunity to share how devastating the disease of substance use disorder is.  I believe God connects people in order to help each other. After our son, Eric, died from an fentanyl overdose I wrote our story as therapy, but it ended up as a book. Her podcast gave me the opportunity to discuss how our family healed and continued living after his death. I spoke very honestly in my book of all the things I did wrong, but also the things I did right, and how I relied on God's guidance. It's a very tough journey, something you don't want others to travel. I read and hear stories from others who are not doing as well as we are. They are stuck in their grief and cannot move forward. Sometimes I get disheartened when I read about people who just can't move forward. Rhonda’s podcast helps us share the things we've done to continue living, as our loved ones would want us to. I continue to hope that others give a listen, not only to her podcast, but to others, who share their experience, because it can do wonders for their well-being. Our lives have changed, but we continue living for the loved ones we have in our life. For myself, not only with the publication of my book trying to show the dangers of this disease, I'm now getting involved with Hope After Loss, a support group for those grieving from the loss of a loved one due to addiction. I've also arranged for myself, and addiction professionals I've been working with, to share our experience and knowledge so parents understand the dangers of this journey.

Written By: Gary Schafer