Troy, my oldest child, the light of my life. He was a beautiful, curious youngster. He was such a pleasure for a mother and the best big brother his three siblings could have asked for. He was rough and street tough on the outside, but inside he was sweet, sensitive and gentle as a lamb. He loved people, and he hurt deeply for those less fortunate than he was. He would do anything for his friends. He would have never left a friend to die alone, the way his "friend" left him.

Troy leaves behind a sister who must now take on a new role in life, as the oldest child. His two little brothers adored him, and they feel his warmth. Sometimes they cry; they really miss him. We never imagined life without him. He was such a gentle soul; maybe that gentleness sent him to the heroin that killed him.

Troy had stopped using drugs. He was staying with his aunt and uncle, trying to clean up. He had to come back home for one last court date. His "friends" were right there, waiting for him to get high one more time. Troy was going to go to Job Corps on Tuesday. He died on the Thursday before he was slated to go. He was not even a week away from success and freedom. I can't write about him anymore. My heart is so badly broken...I would give anything that I owned to be with him again.