International Overdose Awareness Day, 8/31

August 31st used to be just another day for me. It meant summer was waning and the cool fall weather would soon be upon us. On October 3, 2015, however, I was suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar world of somber remembrance and immense sadness: that was the day my older son, Nick, passed away from an accidental drug overdose at the age of twenty. Since that time, August 31st has taken on a new meaning.

Nick was my first-born son. He grew into a tall blond haired, blue-eyed boy who loved fire trucks, nature, my butterscotch brownies, and rock-climbing. He was thoughtful and creative before drugs stole him from me. I speak openly about Nick, his spiral into substance abuse, and his death for two reasons:

 

Firstly, it is cathartic for me to share things that were kept hidden for many years. I feel it is important to raise awareness of substance abuse so that people will know that they did not cause their loved one's substance issues and it is not their fault. Substance abuse can and does happen to anyone, anywhere. 

Secondly, I'm sharing because Nick is directly responsible for my Iove of jewelry making today. When he was a tween, Nick learned how to make beaded jewelry at summer camp, and he was so enthusiastic about it that he encouraged me to try it as well. I had always been a maker, but I had never been interested in creating jewelry. It was Nick who introduced me to the medium, and I immediately loved it for all of its creative possibilities. It was an activity that we enjoyed together, with Nick creating and selling several pieces himself. That was 17 years ago, and I've never looked back. Each and every piece I create today is infused with love and in honor of Nick's memory.