Just Because He Breathes

When I started this blog, I read lots of other blogs about how to write a blog.  One thing they all said was write about what you want to write about, but don't be controversial (unless that is what you want to do).  I started this blog so my son, Jack,  could keep track of what we were doing back home while he was away at a college 12 hours from our home (and to meet Matt Lauer and/or Rosie O'Donnell), so I haven't written about other than that...just the daily things of our lives.   Birthdays, Target clearance, etc.

But last night, I came across a blog, called Just Because He Breathes, that I just feel compelled to say something about.  I couldn't possibly do justice to what Linda, the author writes about, but it is written by a mom who lost her 20 year old son, Ryan,  in July, 2009, after struggling for almost 8 years with various issues--his sexual identity, acceptance, God, etc.   After struggling with drug and alcohol while dealing with these issues, Ryan, after 10 months clean, died of an accidental overdose at age 20.   He was a kind, loving son, and a seemingly very good person.  It is an unimaginable tragedy.    

What makes this child's death so much difficult for his parents, Rob and Linda, is that, in essence, they blame themselves.   They feel that they let their son down for several years before they learned to accept that he was gay.  I am really not even beginning to do this amazing blog justice...it is just something that you have to read yourself.   Linda, his mother, wishes, agonizes, prays,,,, that she could do things differently--and just let Ryan know that she loves him, as she says, not with conditions, but "just because he breathes."    Her last post has received over 1500 comments...it has obviously touched a chord with thousands of people.    I really encourage you, regardless of what religion/sex/race/background you are from, to consider, without condemnation, what this poor, heartbroken mother is trying to say.  

And then, think about what she wishes she could so desperately do--just love your child because he, or she, breathes.  And just be thankful, that unlike Linda, your child is simply breathing at this moment.   I will never take another breath of any of my children for granted.