“My daughter was clean for just over a year from using heroin. She kicked the dragon square in the balls and I didn’t think she was ever gonna look back for it.
She promised me that she’s NEVER going back to H. She said “Daddy, I don’t want to go back to that stuff ever again”.
I remind her what I told her at the Narcan meeting: “If you can’t kick the dragon for good I will be the one to zip you up, but I will be with you every step of the way when you need me”.
I don’t know why she didn’t call me like she promised. It hurts so bad that she didn’t call.
Now before you get all pissy with me for saying that I will zip her up, You have got to understand my daughter’s and my relationship. It’s a loving relationship that shines.
I would ALWAYS be there to bail her out of whatever she got herself into, but now here I was, a father who was desperate for my daughter NEVER TO USE AGAIN and didn’t know how else to put it.
I thought the Love she had for me would keep her from going back to that drug ever again.
Well, that didn’t happen. At 5:50 pm I got the call from the Det at Eastlake Police that my daughter was found dead in her bed from an overdose.
I immediately fell to my knees in the snow and began to cry like a baby. I could not believe that my Tigger had done this. I tell the Det that I am on my way and got there in record time.
STOP READING HERE cause it’s going to be very descriptive. Just stop here and know I love her and kept my word to her.
…but on the other hand I need everyone to understand how very bad this shit is so you NEVER have to experience what we are right now.
I walked up the stairs to her room and there was Karisten sitting in her bed.
She had hit such an lethal dose that when she went into a hemorrhaging arrest that she sat up from her pillows she was propped on in her bed, had her arms straight out with a slight bend at the elbow, fists clenched, with her thumbs tucked under her fingers grasping so tight at what looked like she was trying to grab life back in her.
She was all blue faced, veins out, had a little blood from her nose and her teeth were so tight together that her mouth wouldn’t open.
I was told I couldn’t touch my daughter in case there was any lethal powder still on her. I ask for gloves and glove up cause I’ll be damned if I’m not going to help my daughter One last time or hug her and let her know I Love her.
Well, I kept my word and spread the bag out and carefully placed her in it to say goodbye to her so they can find out what it was that she took.
I zipped her up in her body bag and helped them carefully place her on the cot.
I’m not looking for pity or trolling for comments. I just want ALL of you to know that no matter who you are or what you do or how perfect you think someone is, that this Heroin shit can come into anybody’s life and destroy it.
Do not be blind to this. AND DO NOT LET THIS DRUG FOOL YOU!!!
Please, please, please, wrap your arms around your loved ones and let them know how much you care and love them, because tomorrow is never guaranteed and I urge you all to share this post.
Maybe, just maybe, it’ll help another family.
Rest easy Karisten Lyn Shermann. I miss you so much, my heart is broken, and I LOVE YOU so very very much.”