Darlene

Our friend Darlene was found dead, March 3rd, 1999.

Dear Darlene,

We are so sorry it came to this. You have always been very special to us ever since we first met you and gave you a candy bag across from Oppenheimer. I remember the time you pulled us into the alley beside the funeral home and excitedly searched in your purse for something taht you wanted to show us. You pulled out a large photograph album and in it were hundreds of the little cards that you'd saved from the candy bags... and one precious photo of your little girl, Mayvin.

AFter we left you, I creied as we walked down the street. I knew you didn't want to be there selling your beautiful, gentle self for a 'hit'. My heart broke for little Mayvin, only 4, who, if anyone would listen to her, would say that all she wanted or cared about in the whole world was having her Mommy with her every day to love her, hold her, laugh with her, and teach her to trust. My heart broke because you would nto believe how precious you were. We couldn't make you believe that Jesus is stronger than the craving. You would not believe in help. You wanted to, but 'wanting' isn't an action word. You needed to take action to be able to believe that help existed. WE hugged you many times after that.

The week before you died we talked and said we hadn't seen you for awhile and you said you were staying away, not working, and staying'clean'; but that you'd 'slipped' that day. I urged you to to to a Christian Recovery House, where you would be loved and cared for, but you said you'd do it on your own. We hugged - and didn't know it was for the last time.

Your life was a gift Darlene, a gift to you and all that knew you. It could have been worked out. There was help. You could have been free. An now it's too late. Who will tell little Mayvin how proud you were of her? Who will tell her how much you loved her? Will she grow up thinking that you had never loved her and blaming herself?

I wish I'd been able to stop it from ending this way. We will never forget you. We will always love you.

Please pray for all our girls who still have time to believe in Help.

"And Jesus said, "I tellyou the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."" Matthew 18:3