RIP Brett

Mike called me.  And that is nothing new.  We talk to him a couple of times a week.  But this time he was bearing the news that Brett had died.  He got hit by a car walking along 503.  When Mike said it, it didn't register.  I had just seen Brett last week in town at a bus stop.  But it is true.
I remember when we met Brett and his family.  He was just a little older than Mike.  And he was involved with Scouts.  So we met them when Mike moved from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  And that seems like many many life times ago.  Brett's parents were very involved in the Scout program. 
Brett was always happy and a bit crazy.  No filter, no fear.  At the very least he had some attention issues and I remember him being on medication and them trying to get it right.  I don't know if they ever did, but I know he started self medicating before he was a grown up.  And then that is a spiral.  One he spiraled on along with Mike.
Renee, his mom, and I have this mutual understanding of what that is like for us parents.  The waiting on the call, the loss of valuables, the heartache and the moving on anyway.  Once the news from Mike sank in my first thought was of her.  Because no matter what our addict children do to us or others, they are still our children and it is a tremendous loss.  Being an addict there is always hope of recovery.  Death is final. What I know and what I hope Renee remembers is that she was a very good Mom and Brett loved her, even in those times he may have seemed not to.  I just remember her being there all the time through those years we did scouting together. 
So I will always remember Brett and how he always came and said hi to me with a smile.  When he made offers to mow my yard, I'm sure he was good intentioned.  Because even with all the strife from his life he still had a smile.  My heart breaks for Renee and Maurice and his siblings.
RIP Brett. Light and love along the rest of your journey.