Mason Adair (1976-2000)

Mason died of a heroin overdose this summer. He was dating my best friend's older sister. He holds the record for goals in a season for my high school and is the older brother of a girl I know. We never met.

I spent an afternoon scanning pictures of Mason for a photo CD being made for his family. He existed on the edge of my life- a constant yet unknown presence. To go through those pictures one by one, trying to learn all I could about this guy I will never meet, watching his life pass before me in its entirety... It was very emotional.

Don't think for a minute you won't die tomorrow, too. Heroin kills, sure, but so do other things. He made a mistake, but the mistake could've been not looking while crossing the street or something. If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, would you be happy about your life? Have you said what you need to say, done what you need to do? I'm not saying go out there and rob a bank. Speak your mind and follow the dreams you've always had...