I find myself figuring out how to introduce Jessie to people who need and want to know her story. Not because I want sympathy or someone to feel sorry for me but to keep another mother from going through the same pain that I did, so I figured telling Jessie's story and what it was like living through Jessie's addiction through my eyes and heart would shed some light.

First off, I am a recovering alcoholic; by the grace of God, I made it through her death and lived. I believe in my heart it was because God has a plan for me, and that is to help others through addiction and to help those who lost a loved one get through their pain, too. I was so angry at Jessie and so many others in her life, and I carried that anger for at least three and a half years after she died. I owe my husband and kids so much for standing beside me through this pain; I know I put them through hell. Today, our family is healing, and we will always feel the pain of losing Jessie, but as long as I am alive, she lives through me by sharing her story. My prayers are that Jessie's story will save someone else.