The date of this photo is unknown to me, but it is likely only days before Aaron's death. Sunny. Warm. Certainly May.
Tommy and Aaron were weeks away from graduation. Liz would have another semester to go. They appear to be having a smoke break on the tailgate of Aaron's truck. Camel Lights for Aaron. Maybe the same for Liz. Tommy? Whatever you're smoking is good for him.
Tommy and Aaron met near the end of January '05. They were two of the first students at a high school of 5-6 students. Liz arrived after the semester began. The three bonded beautifully. Liz is an artist. Tommy's a computer wiz. Each is a talented free spirit. Each is as wonderfully compassionate as a parent could want in a son or daughter. This truck was their ride. Aaron lived 15 miles from school. Liz, about 2. Tommy, maybe 8 miles. They could go through a tank of gas every two days.
Aaron was never one to offer any details on their daily activities. I suspected they were up to something and I usually suspected the something was not good. I was wrong. Tommy, Liz, and Aaron were best of friends and best for eachother. Horizon High School is a sobriety school. The three supported eachother through some challenging times. Relationships, friendships, sobriety, etc...they connected with eachother to stay on track. The connection was critical.
Many high school students have more than one group of friends. It's a natural outcome of being open and accepting. Some students are drug and alcohol free. Others are not. Some become addicted. Others do not. Leaving people you like because they are users or addicts is not an easy option, (anti-drug commercials suggest otherwise). The sober or non-addicted friends don't know the pain of addiction. They can't relate. To make it sober one day at a time, the person trying to remain sober has a chance when they connect with people who know their struggle. Tommy, Liz, and Aaron knew the common struggle. They wrapped their arms around themselves and held on.
Tommy told a group of students just the other day that Aaron told them on the morning he died "I'm going make it. I'm going to graduate sober." I knew Aaron had made that commitment to me, to his Mom, to Patrick and to other people. Nobody was closer to Aaron in those last days than Tommy and Liz. Eight months after the terrible day, hearing Tommy quote Aaron with the sound of hope and confidence I miss gave me some peace. With all the focus on healing, I've lost touch with the intensity of Aaron's efforts involving addiction.
Liz completed her work in December. I believe she will be the third Horizon High graduate following Tommy and Aaron. Our family will be at graduation. A world of contentment and happiness is out there for Tommy and Liz. We wish them peace.
Tom
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment