Helping Teenagers Cope With the Death of a Friend

Mat stood next to me, he was videotaping the game. Holding Carleigh close in her snugli I cheered on my sons. I looked over at Mat, why aren't you dressed? We need you! Mat smiled "I am in high school, I can't play for Jr. High" The hockey game was tied 2-2. "Hey Ref? You might as well put us on the back of the bus" I yelled. The parents laughed, the refs glared, and Mat being too young to have a clue what my reference was to, grinned "Mrs. D, I like the back of the bus..." He put down his camera and swooped up my two-year-old Nick. "Here Buddy, get a better view" He held Nick up to see the game. This moment in time will stay with me as a celebration of a life taken way too soon.

At the end of the game the kids (as they always feel a need to...) started in. Can he stay over? Can I stay over? Mat and Sean had a double game the next day on Nantucket. No sleep overs there. Kyle? Yeah he stayed over but I drew my line (HA it's always more like a squiggle) so did his brother and another friend. The next day was pretty much the usual. We went to hockey. I went grocery shopping. I put off cleaning the house. Lounging in my sweats, my family in bed I started watching "The Longest Yard" I am a huge Adam Sandler fan. Shortly after 11:00 Cam came down stairs. He had an early morning game 2 hours away. "You okay" I asked, not realizing that never again in his life would he be okay. Think that is too dramatic? He was 13 years old. "No, I am not. Mat's Dead"