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Category: Our Story

Through My Fingers

Last week I posted about an opportunity that slipped through my fingers. Honestly, when you have lost someone deeply special who is a part of you, you think of that a lot. So many events, experiences, and moments have slipped Read more…


A Moment of Great Pride

Below is a letter that Lauren posted to her Facebook page 18 days before she passed away. I was very proud of her when she did this. I know it was a big step for Lauren, and it was evidence Read more…


A Moment I Missed

The other day I saw an interesting meme on Face Book. It said “We never understand the value of someone until that someone becomes a memory.”  WOW, that is profoundly true, and something we all should think about. It brought Read more…


Shining Stars

One of the most insidious characteristics of addiction is that it hijacks your brain. My daughter, LaLa (Lauren) once made a statement in a Facebook post that said “I chose to do drugs, but I did not choose to be Read more…


A Year of Discoveries

Two years ago tomorrow, at about 6AM, I stepped out of my garage door to be welcomed by an absolutely beautiful day. I had no idea that in less 12 hours my entire world would be turned upside down. It Read more…


Conversations

I can remember lots of conversations I had with Lauren during her life. All of them are special now, even the hard ones. No one enjoys those when they need to take place, but we know they matter. One in Read more…


The Gift of Time

This week my wife Nereida is sharing thoughts on our story from the very different and unique perspective of a mom. I have been trying to figure out what to write about for this week’s We Chose Love Blog. Should Read more…


Second Chance

One of the worst days we experienced while trying to help Lauren as she struggled with mental health issues and eventually addiction was the day we learned that LaLa was addicted to heroin. That day started like any other Sunday Read more…


See Me

There is no other picture of Lauren and I that invokes more memories and emotion for me than the one at the right. It was taken in the nursery of our church on a Sunday night. I love it because Read more…


A Day I Won’t Ever Forget

One of the most important elements in recovery is a surprise to most people. In his book “Chasing the Scream” Johann Hari makes this powerful statement “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. It’s connection.” Wow, that is profound but Read more…