What It's Like As A Mother To Watch Your Son Slowly Die
"You will not enter this house! You will not take my child," I say to death.
Getty Images I feel his presence daily. I sense when he's close. I can practically smell his putrid decay surrounding us.
Death goes by many names — Molly, Uppers, Weed, Kiddie Dope, Horse, Benzos. In fact, he will change his name to tempt you, treat you, and take you.
A dime bag is all it takes to invite him in.
I'm not sure when I first became aware of his presence. He's a sneaky S.O.B. and he fooled me for many years.
I've already mourned the loss of my baseball-loving boy.
His carefree smile died long ago. Perhaps that was the first sign. His eyes are darker now, his demeanor sadder. He carries a heavy burden each day he awakes and chooses life.
Each night I pray that my child will continue to choose life.
My son sometimes courts death like a lover. "Come closer, baby," he whispers. "Take the pain away. Take me."
Other times, he pushes death away, terrified of its powers.
I've seen him weep like a child begging for mercy, pleading to be safe from death's grip. His suicidal confessions have brought me to my knees. How do I save my son? How do I save anyone? Can I?
Yet death's powers are determined. He never really ventures too far away. He's always there. In the back of the room at a party, surrounded by so much energy and alcohol. Surrounded by people who fuel our bad behaviors. Maybe death is actually one of them. Maybe death isn't a stranger at all, but actually wears the face of a friend or a lover. That's why it's so hard to escape.
Death knows this. He counts on it.
My mom instincts tell me when he's returning. I all but stand at the door and yell, "You will not enter this house! You will not take my child!"
I've said as much to the personification of death in an unknown car in my driveway.
When I realized what was happening, I stormed over to this man's car and got in his face. I didn't shout; I said it quietly; I said it intentionally.
"Get the f*ck away from my house and don't you ever come back, or I swear to God I will kill you myself."
It was a foolish thing to do. I could've been killed myself. But I would do it again.
I've already lost my once-little boy. I will stand beside my now-grown son and fight Death.
Although my son is healthier now, I know Death hasn't fully retreated. He will not enter this house as long as I'm still alive. I hope he never enters yours.
Jennifer Williams-Fields, E-RYT, is the author of "Creating A Joyful Life: The Lessons I Learned From Yoga And My Mom." Her work has been featured on Yahoo, Dr. Oz, and The Good Life, and she is a regular contributing writer for Elephant Journal Magazine, YourTango, Rebelle Society, and YogaUOnline.