Harsh reminder
My sobriety date is January 29, 2006. Periodically I wonder what happened to some of my main using buddys. About 10 minutes ago I googled the name of one of them. This is what came up.
Candice V. Cole
Candice V. Cole, 22, Woodstock, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2005, at her home. She was born March 28, 1983, in Barrington, to John and Kathy (Strain) Cole. She was a member of St. Mary Church in Woodstock, graduating from St. Mary School in 1997 and Marian Central High School in 2001, and she was currently a senior at Columbia College, Chicago. While attending school in Woodstock, she was active in many programs including basketball, volleyball, pom pons and drama. Family and friends described her as a fun-loving, gregarious person who helped others whenever she could. She particularly enjoyed working on the Christmas Clearing House project. She was a world traveler, visiting several countries in Europe, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. While on spring break, she drove cross-country from Chicago to California. Survivors include her parents, Woodstock; her grandmothers, Donna Strain, Woodstock, and Marie Cole, England; her aunts and uncles, Chuck (Carol) Strain, Las Vegas, Doug Strain, McHenry, Gary Cole, London, Marsha Giles, Woodstock, and Rose (Dave) McKay, Woodstock; six cousins, Elizabeth (Dave) Zeh, Erin (Brian) Benak, Howie Giles, Sarah Cole, Lawrence Cole, Howie Giles and Chris McKay; a great-uncle, Chris Burden of Woodstock; and many, many loving friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers James Strain and Eddie Cole. Visitation was Dec. 26 at St. Mary Church. Mass of the Resurrection was held Dec. 26, with the Rev. Nicholas Federspiel officiating. Interment was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Woodstock. Memorials can be made to St. Mary School, Marian Central High School, St. Mary Church or the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District.
She died one month before I came in the program. This disease is fatal. I know so many people who have died from drug addiction. I had a strange feeling she was going to die. Her parents tried desperately to get her treatment. My mind is racing right now. It could have been me.