May 15, 2013 is the day my life changed forever.  At 0344 AM I received a telephone call from our oldest son Zachary to inform me that our son Nathaniel (Natey as I affectionately nicknamed him as a baby) had died as a result of a heroin overdose. Nothing has been the same since...

 

There is not a day that goes by that I dont think about Natey. When I walk past a box of Fruity Pebbles in the grocery store my eyes well up with tears.  Losing Natey is without a doubt the hardest thing that I have ever had to deal with.  I wondered  "What could I have done differently"? , "Should I have been more strict"?, "Should I have been more lenient"?

 

For almost a year I spent many hours and days asking myself what could I have done that would have changed the outcome of Natey's Life.

 

On May 15, 2014, the 1st anniversary of the death of my beautiful and gifted son, I continued to look for answers. Not just with Natey's life and death, but with my own life. I had this feeling of emptiness, even though on paper, I had it all. I had a GREAT wife and Kids.  I had a solid career, wonderful friends.  I lived near the beach. I got myself and my family involved in the Journey Church and was enjoying the Men's Fraternity there... But deep down, something was missing. 

 

Then, for reasons I don't know, I found myself reading Ephesians chapter 5 on the Bible app on my phone.  Ephesians?  No Idea why... Chapter 5 ?  Well, I guess it was May, so perhaps that explains that.

 

 

May 14, 2014, I had this overwhelming feeling there was to be good from Natey's passing.  Perhaps I needed to help other parents so that they won't have to endure the pain of losing a child to drugs. Perhaps, I was being called to help mentor young adults and remind them that in every situation there is a right choice and a wrong choice.

 

I did know for certain, that this was my opportunity to become a better Dad, Friend, and Husband. 

 

But did not know what to do or how to do it.

 

That was the start of Natey's Place.

 

Where small groups of faith-based, like-minded people can Connect, Grow and Apply what they learn to make better choices, kids, parents, community, and world.