And it all began

And it all began

Riley… Cute as a button, Easy as pie, Made me smile and It was easy to know why.

Helping a mother tell the story no parent wants to hear

Helping a mother tell the story no parent wants to hear

An article written by Katrina Bland, the Arizona Republic Newspaper. This article appears on the front page of the Sunday, June 1st paper. I am thankful for Riley’s story to be shared like this so it can touch more lives. Thank you, Katrina Bland.

I HATE DRUGS. I HATE DRUGS. I HATE DRUGS. I HATE DRUGS. I HATE DRUGS. I HATE DRUGS. I HATE DRUGS.

The following was posted on my Facebook page on May 4th, 2014. Riley’s birthday was May 3rd. His birth and death occurred on the same day. He was 18. My sweet baby boy. I am here to share Riley’s story.

“I guess I have to write this………After I posted Riley’s Happy Birthday post yesterday while I was worrying about how much grief he was going to give me for his baby pictures being posted, I got a phone call that still seems that it can’t be true! I am still saying that over and over in my head. Riley made the decision to celebrate his birthday by taking acid and while what appears to have been a “bad trip”, he shot himself. My sweet baby boy. Gone in an instant. Accepted to NAU. With his plans to rule the world. He had such Musical talent. choir. Intelligent. Deep thinker, and Loved by so many. All the talking he and I did about drugs….yet kids are curious, they think they are invincible…Talk to your kids. Scare the hell out of them somehow. Tell them Riley’s story. The world was a better place with Riley in it. I’m not so sure how I’m going to be able to survive without him.”

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