To the parents in my town and every other town

My son is an addict
Your son is not
They went to the same school
Played on the same sports team
They both excelled at it
My son won numerous art awards
He was a gifted musician
He got good grades
Your son did the same
If your son had became an addict
Would you have questioned your parenting skills?
You bet you would have
I do it every , single , damn day
If your son had become an addict
Would you avoid me and your looks of pity ?
You bet you would have
If your son had become an addict
Would you have called me and asked if I needed to talk?
No, but if the shoe was on the other foot...
You bet I WOULD HAVE

Loss

My daughter has such anger in her for her brother. Yet, sometimes her bravado breaks down and I see    that although she is angry, there is still love. She was telling me about being at her boyfriend's school the other night and watching this concert thing they have. Different groups perform and she was telling me about one in particular . Mom, the singer was terrible but the guitarist was really talented. He was "Kevin" talented. My heart wept silently for both their losses. His not knowing how his sister admires his talent and loves him but cannot show it and hers for the loss of  her big brother who admires her as well but cannot show it .