My Father's Passing

 

My father struggled with addiction and alcoholism for most of his life, though in his later years, serious health issues led him to a period of sobriety. My dad found solace in music, playing guitar and singing backup in a band called Box-o-Rox. Music had always been a lifeline for him, a way to connect and express himself. But as his health declined, he could no longer keep up with the demands of performing. His bandmates, concerned for his well-being, had to make the painful decision to remove him from the group. That loss hit him hard—he felt as though his music, and a piece of his identity, had been taken from him.

After leaving the band, my father’s addiction resurfaced. Though he was under medical care and prescribed oxycodone for pain, he began abusing it, injecting the medication with diabetic needles. I remember walking into the bathroom and finding him unconscious, having to pull the needle out of his arm. Those moments were deeply traumatic, and they left lasting scars. My mother and I tried everything we could to intervene, even going so far as to take away his needles in hopes of stopping the cycle. But our efforts led to tension and arguments, and one day, after a particularly emotional confrontation, my father left to stay in a hotel.

He had just filled a prescription for 280 oxycodone pills. The next day, he overdosed and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained in a coma for nearly a month. It was a devastating time, filled with uncertainty and grief. We didn’t know if he would wake up or if we’d ever get the chance to speak to him again. But then, on the Sunday before he passed away, something miraculous happened—he woke up. We spent a few precious hours together, talking and simply being present with one another. That final moment with my father is something I hold close to my heart. Despite all the pain and chaos, I’m deeply grateful to God for giving me that time. It was a gift—a chance to say goodbye, to feel his presence, and to remember the love that existed beneath the struggle.