Zach,
I was in Houston when you were born there, so I feel we had a connection to start with. Then I got to know you as an adult and we just hit it off. I talked to you when I visited Michigan several times. Then messaging, an occasional call. it was great to converse with someone so intelligent and witty. We laughed a lot.
You were there for your mom and dad, although it was freaking hard, and sometimes awful. I know it sometimes angered you, but you loved your family, telling me you would readily kill anyone who harmed your sister or your nieces!
You found a friend online for a quick, intense relationship which you enjoyed immensely. When you chose to end it, you were disappointed but certain, much surer of yourself.
You knew you had an addiction and fought it with all you had. I admired your repeated efforts, your ability to rise and try again and again. And you were now, finally, at a place where you were getting cleaner and stronger and it seemed medicine would come through and complete your transformation. I don’t know what happened. Perhaps your body had just been so harmed by that horrible disease that it couldn’t carry on. But all I can say is that it is so totally unfair. Your gentle presence is gone.