I can't believe it's been a year. I hope you're at peace and in your mom's loving arm up there. I miss you bull!

Dear Drew:
I only met you twice once when you helped me move Sarah home from Juniata and the first time when Sarah said "Daddy this is Drew..he is a really nice guy". I feel that I met you more than twice because whenever you and Sarah talked she was happy to have a friend like you.
As a Dad I thank you for being a special friend to my Sarah. Good Bless You Drew, rest easy my friend.
Joe Hayes

Dear Drew:

This is the hardest letter I have had to write. It grieves me to know that you were taken from us too soon. It grieves me to know that I never got the chance to tell you how proud of you I am, or how much I learned from you, or how much your fellow students thought of you. I can only hope you are at peace, again in your mother’s arms.

We sometimes – well, ok, frequently – argued in class. Some may have thought that we were trying to persuade each other; you were wise enough to see that my purpose was to help you think through your position, and ultimately be a better advocate. You wanted to become better and more articulate, and you did. As you did, you became more thoughtful, and deeper, better informed. And your inner kindness came to the surface.

It is conventional to think of mental health challenges in terms of people being pursued by “demons.” That is our metaphorical way of conveying that they are mysterious, sudden, uncontrollable, and terrifying. We say it because we cannot understand or explain what is happening. Those of us who do not have to live with them are often at a loss. Those who know demons live in fear of their reappearance, and a mix of despair and envy at the (blissful) ignorance of those of us who do not know. But how does one even put these experiences into terms others can understand? How do we help people who have these “demons”?

You came to understand, and to help me understand, that people are complex and difficult. Strictness and “tough love,” as tempting as they are, have no effect, no relevance, when the demons are in charge. Theory is no help. It is not as if all people work according to a single theory of human nature, or if any of us works the same way all the time. You figured this out, just as Aristotle figured it out long ago. I think that is why you continued to return to the Church, which long ago absorbed his lessons.

I am sorry I never got to say a proper goodbye. Perhaps that was for the best. Perhaps we shall meet again, in which case it would have been premature. But I wish you had stayed with us longer. And I wish you peace, wherever you may be.

Drew,

We were the least likely of friends, but the more we got to know one another, the more you took me under your wing like the big brother I needed. You helped me through some of the hardest times of my life, and it wasn't always easy to take your tough love in stride. But I wouldn't be who I am today without you. You poured every bit of yourself into healing others around you, and I know I'm not the only one who owes you this gratitude. I feel so much sorrow and regret for things not said, but I can feel your presence here still in so many ways. I'll never forget you. I'll carry all the lessons you taught me and the laughs we shared in my heart. Thank you for everything

I knew you from the young adult church group we were in, Guided by Christ. I didn't see you that much but I'm glad I got to meet you. You left us too soon. Rest in peace, friend.

Andrew I promised your mom I take care of you. I did not follow through to good did I, you kept telling me they were lyrics to songs, In my heart I knew you were part of those lyrics,
I am sorry.
You were loved Andrew, You were your mom’s world, you made her proud! You are now in her loving arms and that is what gives me peace.
All my love Andrew till we meet again!
Mrs Szyszko
PS I still say you would have made an amazing lawyer, I always believed in you, I wish you believed in yourself.