On April 23rd, 2024, two families were torn apart by a senseless act of violence—an event that no one should ever have to experience. It was a moment that changed everything, shattering lives and leaving behind a grief so heavy, it’s hard to put into words.

While scrolling through old photos recently, I came across one that stopped me in my tracks. It was a picture of my brother—my brother—and it brought a flood of memories and emotions with it. In that photo, he looked so vibrant, so full of life. He looked good. Seeing him like that again—before everything fell apart—broke my heart all over again.

As his older sister, I’ve walked a long road with him. We’ve fought side by side and, yes, sometimes against each other. I’ve watched him grow from a little boy into a man, and then… into someone I no longer recognized. Addiction is a powerful, relentless force. It doesn’t just change the person using—it changes everyone around them too. Watching him slip away from the person I once knew was devastating beyond measure.

The most painful decision I ever had to make was to protect myself and my children. Setting boundaries with someone you love, especially a sibling, is an act of love that feels like betrayal. But it was necessary. I needed to keep us safe, even though it broke me to do so.

This photo—this one beautiful moment frozen in time—reminds me of who he really was deep down. The brother I knew and loved. It’s unbearable to think of what could have been. If only he had gotten the help he needed. If only addiction hadn’t taken hold of him the way it did. If only…

I’m sharing this not to seek sympathy, but to speak to someone who may be walking a similar path. If you’re struggling with addiction, please—please—know that it’s never too late to ask for help. You are not alone. Your life has value. Your story can still take a different path.

To anyone out there who sees themselves in this story, or sees their loved one spiraling and feels helpless—hold on. Reach out. Start the conversation. There is help. There is hope.

Let this tragic day—April 23rd, 2024—not be just another day of loss. Let it serve as a wake-up call, a turning point, a reminder that life is fragile and precious. And that every moment is a chance to choose something better.

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