Womens Health Blog

The scene that morning was surreal—the perfect union of beauty, tragedy, and irony. The weather had cooperated just as everyone had hoped—bright and warm, just as Susie would have wanted. The sun washed over the cluster of freshly polished vehicles, dodging the puffy, harmless white clouds that floated peacefully by. The entourage moved slowly through the city before reaching their destination. Outside the church, the large group turned into the parking lot, parked, exited their vehicles, and somberly entered.

Jill entered the church and quickly took a seat near the front as the others slowly filed in. It was some forty minutes later when it was her turn to speak. Reaching the podium, she realized it was the first time she had gazed upon the heartbreaking scene. Susie’s parents sat in the first row; Susie’s father did what he could, but her mother was inconsolable.

With a look of horrified anguish on her young face, Jill began her eulogy:

“Never in a million years will I find another friend like Susie. From the minute we met in sixth grade, we were inseparable. We were on the cheerleading team together, we had slumber parties at each other’s homes, we both played tennis in high school—she was like the sister I always wanted…and how I looked up to her when she turned sixteen a full nine months before I did. We shared everything. I knew which boys she liked, and she knew which I liked. When both of us received our acceptance letters from SMU, we celebrated for a whole week. She was a free spirit, full of energy and laughter and love—and always, seemingly, having fun.”

Jill paused for a moment to collect her thoughts, and set aside her prepared remarks. She sobbed as she continued.

“It wasn’t until we had spent a semester as roommates that I realized the full extent of Susie’s problems. And today I feel guilty, despite knowing that I tried…so hard to convince Susie to seek an free video poker how to play backgammon no deposit bonus online casino 888 no download casino play roulette craps game black jack download american roulette play video poker baccarat free casino game no download online casino free money on line casino wagering roulette online online casino betting free online casino slots free craps best casino roulette gambling internet casino gambling uk best casino online full pay video poker no deposit casino code best craps game black jack tournament best online casino site craps online game newest online casino free slots no download play blackjack online free dueces wild video poker black jack gambling online video poker game free casino cash no deposit video poker tutorial play free video poker how to win at black jack casino roulette casino guide how to win at roulette rules of craps casino game online real money backgammon baccarat casino online free video poker game play free video poker video poker odds video poker tournaments alcohol rehabilitation program…. But knowing that we ultimately grew apart—and that I gave up on trying—will haunt me forever. And when I heard she was in a car accident, I—”

With that, Jill’s emotions overwhelmed her, and she could not continue. The pastor helped her back to her seat.

Before the sun set that day, Susie’s family and friends laid her to rest. She was one month shy of her twentieth birthday, a pre-med student, and the twinkle in her father’s eye. She was a sister, daughter, granddaughter, and Jill’s best friend.

And with the right addiction treatment, she would probably be alive today.

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