We should never underestimate the value of sharing the smallest act of kindness, the smallest ayah from the Quran or any good words.

A simple smile could really make someone’s day light up.

You were still a developing soul at the time you knew Joe, today you are a different person, so you cannot blame yourself for the way he died. Although I would have felt the same way. You were learning yourself and did what you knew best at the time. Now with your hindesight and experience, I’m sure you are helping many more ‘Joes’ with your good efforts on IslamicAnswers.com maashAllah.

***

Wael, you have a heart resolved towards love and concern. You are victim of drug addiction, just like Joe and Joe’s family.

I have come to realize that no “outsider” really thinks of the drug addict as a kind person. I have known drug addicts, when they weren’t using, to be the most wonderful people a person would want to meet. The humility of drug abuse brings a person down to a level that really can’t be fully understood. When a drug addict or alcoholic finds a level of contentment free from his addiction, then we can see the light in a heart darkened by addiction.

Your friend Joe had hopes of recovery and he wanted to have a normal life; I believe that this is a natural human desire. I believe all in chains of addiction want true freedom. Finding and holding on to this freedom from the compulsion to use is something that some find and some don’t. I can’t formulate the reasons why some find freedom from addiction and some don’t. Destroying the will of an addict’s desire to use is miraculous.

I know that there are many touched by addiction, either they themselves or a loved one. They suffer in silence because they want to keep the experience silent. This does no service to the addict or the family of the addicted. Those, like yourself who have loved and known the sorrow of addiction, need to speak out to bring forth awareness and this will serve to be a help to all who suffer. I sense much compassion when I hear Carroll O’Connor speak out on the death of his dear son in that public service announcement on T.V. I think that he (Mr. O’Connor) is to be admired. I also want to be a helper to those who suffer.

You feel as if you have failed your friend, well this is a deep feeling and this is worked out only by time and knowing that you can move on to help people like Joe in other ways. Look, I can say all the right words yet they can mean nothing to one who has experienced the loss of a loved one. You have been helpful to me in the making of my site, “Broken Chains.” You have gone above and beyond your call of service in assisting me. I see this as a direct help to Joe. I see that your hand has held his in sorrow.

I hear the voice of the regrets “if I only said or did this”. I know these thoughts, not only because I am a drug addict, but because I have lost friends to addiction. My good friend and fellow musician Ron. I wrote about him on my web site; “The Darkness Within Me.” I have been provoked by him and others like him to move forward with “Broken Chains Ministry.” The death of those I know will not just be something I easily forget, It just won’t happen. I will think of my loved ones with joy and gladness, because there will always be sorrow.

Thank you for your story.
your friend,
Steve G