Message to the Future

After the tragic loss of her son, Mary Lou tries to make sense of what happened. Justin was a teenager; therefore, she knew why his death required an honest review of her life choices.

She evaluated everything from having a child early in life to her efforts to set a positive example. She shook off the negative influences of in-law meddlers, nefarious police officers, biased arbitrary school rules, state- assigned family counselors and the unhelpful actions of her ex and current spouse. At wits end, she contemplated a teen boot camp. Against her wishes, her son left their home to live with his grandparents, hoping to spend time with his beloved father.

Some questions will never be answered; yet, there were surprising insights into Justin's thinking. Taking responsibility for her loss exacted a painful cost to the remaining family she had tried so assiduously to create.