MISSING

A poem written by Paula Golden, a mother of three.

Days without a phone call.
Days without a text message.
Days of not hearing that voice that eases a hurting heart.
Days of missing.

Do you know what it's like
to file a missing person police report?
What if missing is your son or daughter?

Do you remember the last clothes they wore?
Do you remember what shoes or hat he or she had on?
Do you have a recent photo handy?
Do you remember the last thing that was said to you - or you said before he or she went missing?

Parents love their missing.
No matter how bad it gets;
no matter how many times
the missing seek help to address substance abuse;
no matter how many times
the missing relapse.

This is the daily "real life" of a family with a missing addict.
Are you ready for that call that tells you
missing is in jail,
missing just overdosed,
missing got raped,
missing got shot or stabbed,
missing is in the hospital, or
missing is dead?

Are you prepared to hear where your missing son or daughter is?

Yes, hope and pray for the best even if the best is your missing is alive.

But don't be in denial - prepare for the worse too.

Are you ready to bury your missing?

If by chance, you are one of the missing?
You may not know me but I love you and I care. Get help today and stop being one of the missing.