A Common Frayed Thread

 I watched the funeral for Whhitney Houston today. I feel as if someone has put a knife in my chest and began turning it. It took me a minute to figure out what I was feeling and why but here it is. Whitney had a much publicized problem with drugs. The verdict is still out on whether drugs had anything to do with her death or not. I guess honestly, it doesn't matter. What matters is that she had the problem to begin with. The problem of drug and alcohol abuse has hit very close to home in my life. My father was an alcoholic. He died of a heart attack almost 13 years ago. I had a partner for almost 5 years who though not using while I was with her still struggled with the emotional stuff that goes along with it. So I guess the point is, I am just thinking about how sad it is that people can fall victim to such a sinister and conniving thing. It's sad that people have to struggle to get away from it. It's sad that it sometimes takes people's lives. I know for a fact that people can't "just stop". I know for a fact that people can't just stop "wanting it". I didn't always have that realization it took alot of years. Now I am just left with this overwhelming sense of sadness for people that lose so much due to addiction. The addicted lose money, jobs, friends, homes, freedom, and sometimes thier lives unless that by the grace of God they find recovery. Those that love the addicted person lose alot too. As if losing all sense of security due to the the addicts inability to be counted on isn't enough. Sometimes they have to deal with the loss of the addict through death, Thank God there is a place of recovery for us too.