My son Carlo was the most loving, caring soul you would ever meet. He never went without saying "I love you". You could feel the love that radiated from him when he hugged you, and you never wanted to let go of him. His dark brown eyes were full of love and his silky dark brown hair was truly a gift from God. We are so blessed to know that he accepted Christ in his life over that last several years. There is no doubt in our minds that our son is now with his heavenly Father. He is now free from the chains that he tried so hard to break away from here on earth. He was such a beautiful baby boy. A loving, caring child and adult. Carlo had that smile that everyone will keep with them forever more. From the time he was born he had a smile that would just make you melt. Even when he had no front teeth, at the age of 3 years old. He and another girl ran into each other and his 2 front teeth went flying across the room. One tooth ended up lodged in the floor molding. In grade school he was the silly one. Sports, yes, he loved playing baseball and was in little league and junior league for years. He had a pitching arm that was unbelievable. Of course, it was the last game of the series, 9th inning, 2 men out, slugger was up and the coach put Carlo in to pitch. Yes, Carlo struck slugger out. He was going to the major league. Then something happened in high school. Who knows what? Does any parent really know when, why, how, or who? Things changed. After many incidents he decided he wanted to get well and we all worked with him. He went through several recovery programs and even completed a very structured 6 month recovery program at Mt. Zion House in Lake Geneva, WI. Once he went home, it wasn't very long before the chaos started again. Those certain people and temptations were back in the picture once again. In our minds, Carlo was using only with the knowledge of a very few people. Most of his friends admitted they thought he was clean again and were absolutely devastated at the funeral. He was alone in his bedroom when his Dad found him. So terribly sad for all of us. How horrible this drug is that it can totally destroy young lives. How frightening that some of these young people can walk into these wakes and funerals and cry hysterically, then walk out the door and use again. As for my life, I am never to be the same person again. I trust that God will carry me and heal me as time goes on but never to be the same again. It is a life change that only another Mother who has experienced this can understand. I have a very strong faith, family and friends who are in constant contact with me. I know I will be with my baby boy again, but this time it will be with our true Father for eternity, never to be apart again. I love you Carlo! If we had to lose you to this ugly drug and we can save one other in the future, I feel we have spared those parents from the grief and suffering that we have gone through.