My son Thomas was smart, funny and handsome, but he was also a drug addict. He lost his marriage, his home and the opportunity to be the best father to his son because of drugs. He had lived on and off the streets over the years, getting beat up, robbed and experiencing things that are too horrible to mention, all because of his habit. In January, he went to a drug rehab facility, but left at the end of the month. We had high hopes that this was going to help, but he left too soon and returned to the Louisville KY/Jeffersonville IN area. After not hearing from him for a few weeks, which was odd, we were worried and began calling hospitals, police stations, etc and he was put on a missing persons list. Because of COVID-19, we were staying home, but still trying to find him these other ways. My ex-daughter-in-law, Angie and grandson, Aston who live closer, had driven around looking for him numerous times and also gone to the rehab that he had left, hoping that maybe he had returned there. This past week, my husband Jesse and I decided we were going to drive up there and talk to the police in person, and put out fliers that we had printed. Angie and Aston met us there.

We finally got our answer. Thomas had been found dead on February 13th, with a needle in his arm. He had died from an overdose of fentanyl, a very powerful narcotic. The coroner said that they had 8 or 10 other deaths from the same drug during that same time. We were able to bring Thomas home with us, and as I was walking to the car, I was thinking of holding him in my arms as a baby, and now I was carrying a bag with a box of ashes. We always knew that this could happen one day, but we are still heartbroken......for the loss of our son, father brother, friend and also for what his life could have been if he had said "No" to drugs when he was still a teenager.

Some people might say that I shouldn't be telling this story, but I just want people to see how drugs ruin lives and hurt not only the addict, but those that love them. I have lost a child and my grandson has lost a father. The other thing that I want you to think about is that every person that you see out on the street that you may even call a worthless bum, was once somebody's baby. Not everyone on the street is an addict either. Some are there because of mental conditions or a number of other circumstances, but no matter the reason, please be kind. Thomas has told me of times where someone was kind enough to buy him a meal, a cup of coffee, or just talk to him. Someone gave him their umbrella once when there was a heavy rain. Those gestures made his heart happy to know that not everyone looked at him with disgust. Thomas wasn't a saint...he had his issues, but he was also the kind of person who would help anyone in need. He was witty, very good at working with his hands, and became skilled in doing quality construction work. He loved his family very much, especially his son Aston, but he just couldn't shake his addiction.

The pictures you will see are of different times in Thomas' life...happier times. Some of them are kind of fuzzy and not the best pictures I have, but the only ones I could get my hands on right now. The picture to the right was in 2018, when we met him in Florida, where his job was headquartered. He was off the streets then, looking a lot healthier and we enjoyed spending time with him at the beach. He loved the beach as much as I do.