When I agreed to share Drew’s story, I knew it would be hard—so many buried emotions and feelings rising to the surface again. It has been said that if you can tell your story without crying then you know you are healed. It has been almost five years since Drew’s death and I am not healed.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of Drew—he was a part of me. Many times I will stop outside his bedroom door (now converted to an office) close my eyes and remember the way it used to be. I can see him lying across his bed and smell the mixture of cologne and dirty socks. There is a constant ache and void.
Drew was born on March 17, 1992—St Patrick’s Day.
We used to have so much fun celebrating his birthday. Everything we ate all day long was green! His birthday dinner always consisted of steak, baked potato, salad and his favorite Mountain Dew cake. Drew loved traditions and always wanted the same things year after year.
There are many fond memories of Drew. Anyone who knew him always commented on his contagious, mischievous smile along with the most unique laugh ever heard. He loved his family, sports and his loyal dog, Cocoa. He couldn’t sing or dance but that never stopped him from doing either. He loved hot sauce and habanero peppers. He took care of his G-ma, was a hard worker and always knew he could count on odd jobs from Uncle Smitty to make some extra spending money. He was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.
On October 9, 2011, Drew came into our living room, laid on the sofa and put his head in my lap—it was something he had done even as a small boy, an unspoken request for me to rub his back. “I love you mama,”he said, little did I know that I would never hear those precious words from him again.
October 10, 2011, was my fortieth birthday and the worse day of my life! I was running late that morning and needed to get my daughter to school and myself to work. I remember hesitating outside his closed bedroom door, I almost stuck my head in to say good bye but decided instead to let him rest.
I had a feeling all day in the pit of my stomach that something wasn’t right and I knew it involved Drew. The feeling was so strong that I even discussed it with my friend and co-worker, Sherry. I tried to dismiss it as paranoia. I don’t remember the conversation that Hannah and I were having in the car that evening on our way home, but I’ll never forget the silence that fell over us both as we pulled into our driveway. Our yard was full of emergency vehicles and people. As I got out of the car, I saw my husband, Darrell walking towards me and I knew by the look on his face before he even said the words, “He’s gone—Drew is gone.” No parent should ever have to hear those words.
I hate the word suicide!
I wish it could be completely stripped from our vocabulary and never enter the mind of anyone as an option. Professionals say that those who consider suicide don’t really want to die, they just want the pain to end. Suicide does not end pain, it merely ends the chance of better days and a better life and causes unbearable pain for the loved ones left behind.
I was naïve about suicide, depression and mental illness before Drew’s death. It wasn’t long before I found the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website and I’ll never forget sobbing as I read suicide warning signs:
1. Talking about wanting to die or killing oneself. (Although, he didn’t talk to us, we found conversations on his phone where he had discussed it.)
2. Having a plan in mind to kill oneself. (Again, conversations on his phone.)
3. The end of a significant relationship. (His relationship with his girlfriend of three years was ending.)
4. Increased alcohol and drug use. (Drew was doing both.)
5. Behaving recklessly. (Two serious car accidents and one arrest for driving recklessly.)
6. Withdrawing and Isolating. (Drew was doing both.)
Although I lived with guilt for a long while after Drew’s death, I’ve learned to be more gentle and forgiving with myself. If I had known then what I know now, I would have done many things differently—that’s the beauty of hindsight, you see everything clearly. I would have realized that what was going on with Drew was more than teenage rebellion and recognized his silent cries for help.
Many have asked me why Drew ended his life on my birthday—was it his final act of selfishness and cruelty? People who ask that question don’t understand suicide and didn’t know my son, Drew. October 10, 2011, just happened to be the day that Drew, overwhelmed by his feelings of hopelessness, despair and pain chose to end his life—nothing else was on his mind. I have to admit for many years I thought it was a cruel twist of fate that he died on my birthday, and I vowed that I would never celebrate it again.
Slowly, as years have passed, I’ve begun to look at it differently–Every October 10th for me is the anniversary of the beginning of a life and a life ending. My precious son chose death, but I choose life and embrace it for the wonderful gift that it is. I exist because my loving Lord and Creator gives me breath every day–
He has a plan and purpose for my life.
Losing a child to suicide is perhaps one of the most painful experiences imaginable; however, because I’ve experienced that pain, I can look into the eyes of another parent who has lost a child and tell them that I know how they feel and they are not alone—there is something about not being alone in our pain. I can also look into the eyes of a precious young person and tell them how much their life matters, that no matter how bad their circumstances seem there is help and hope—life can get better!
On Sunday, April 24, 2016, my family and I along with many dear friends will participate in the Out of Darkness Walk sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at the University of Georgia. Participating in this walk not only remembers and honors Drew, but will help raise money for an organization that promotes mental health awareness and education. AFSP educates the public on the signs of depression and high suicide risk, promotes programs in schools that teach administrators and teachers how to recognize children dealing with mental health issues and tirelessly lobbies for better and easier access to mental health care.
Will you consider walking with us or making a donation by clicking on the link below?
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and may God bless!
If you would like to donate to Tammy’s fundraiser, please click here:
