I have struggled with the reality of my late husband's legacy and not wanting his death from addiction to have no meaning.  At first I was resentful of the life insurance money that came from his death and then I learned to be grateful that I was blessed to be able to continue to raise our children without added burden over our heads. Today I financially sponsored an 18 year old that has been struggling with addiction and has the opportunity to finish her senior year at a sober high school.  It is a new program but she needed help with the tuition.  I didn't think twice and I mailed a check and paid it. I kept thinking of all those people that put out a hand and helped me when I needed it the most.  Strangers that were willing to be a friend and take my hand and said come with us and we'll show you how we got here.  I will always be grateful for the power of a stranger. I haven't known her long but I saw so much of me in her when I was that age.  I know that she has a long road ahead of her but she has opportunity and choice now and I truly felt that I was paying it forward.  She will not know that it was me but I told my story to the Director of the school and that I wanted this gift from my husband's estate to be able to help someone get what he never could.  I don't know that this is closure of any sort but it felt right and I was grateful that I had the ability to do it. I did it in his memory and I did it for all those strangers that gave me experience, strength and hope and showed me how to take the first step down a road of sobriety that has given me a life that is second to none.  It hasn't always been easy, but that wasn't the promise.  The promise was that the journey would be one worth taking. Michael, wherever you are, your life and your legacy gave faith, strength and hope today to a stranger who can take that first step on a beautiful journey.