We’re raised to believe that we will die before our children do. It’s only natural; we grow old and die, and they carry on after us. That’s not supposed to change.

As a father, I always wondered if I was good enough. I wanted to raise Andrew to be a stand-up man, a good friend, somebody’s husband. I thought he was on his way, but I was blind.

In all honesty, I probably wasn’t around as much as I should have been. I should have talked to my boy, I should have asked him how he felt. He was so young, and I never even considered that he might be so alone.

I made mistakes- Andrew’s mother will be the first to tell you that. But believe me when I say I’ve paid for them with the one thing that mattered the most. If you’ll excuse me, now.