May 312010
640 Responses to “Henry Louis Granju 1991-2010”
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Katie, thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. I don’t know you and found out about your blog from a friend. I am so sorry for your tragic, and above all senseless, loss of Henry.
Drugs have been a part of my life as well, with my closest cousin starting marijuana in middle school, moving to acid, etc. in high school, and afterward continuing to cocaine and ultimately heroin. Fortunately, she has survived and we think she has been off the heroin for many years now (will the methodone ever end? it’s been 11 years) – while some of her closest friends (including her boyfriend) overdosed and died. Through it all, her parents have kept up a cool country club detachment – I think most people don’t even know they have children, much less that one’s a drug addict and the other’s a functioning alcoholic – and it has been heartbreaking to watch both children, now adults (and seemingly trapped in adolescence) flirt with death while the parents stare at them like accessories that are out of season. Thank you for showing the perspective of a loving parent.
Praying for you and your family.
There are no words adequate to this loss. Know that you, your family — and Henry — are in my thoughts and prayers.
Katie, I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m terribly sorry for your family’s loss. Please know that you and your family will be closely held in my thoughts and my prayers.
I just read your journey and what you’ve had to go through.
Henry sounded like a wonderful, incredible guy no matter what kind of struggles he was fighting.
I can’t tell you how very, very sorry I am for your loss.
I am a friend of Tami Waters and Michlle Brotman in Columbia, SC. I wanted to say how very deeply sorry I am for your loss. Your son is beautiful. His long curly hair reminds me of my little boys curls. I am crying for you and the loss of your baby boy Henry. Please know my thoughts are with you and your family and children.
I am just learning your story and am so, so sorry to hear this news today. You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Katie – I am so sorry for your loss. I am a mother of a 13-year-old boy. He told me a few weeks ago that one of his best friends has started smoking pot, and as a former pothead, I kinda rolled my eyes and thought, Well crap. Mostly it just came sooner than I expected. Reading through your blog today, I’ve come to see what a gift, what a guidepost, that conversation was. There is no vigilance too extreme when it comes to my child’s life. I don’t know how I’m going to set about inserting myself into this situation, and I fully understand that I may piss a few people off. But whatever.
My son has thick, lustrous, enviable hair, and he plays the guitar. I so appreciate everything you have shared and the difference it has made over here. I am deeply saddened at your loss, moved by your strength, touched by the glimpse of your family that you have so generously given. May peace be with you all.
I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that memories of happier days will be of some small comfort to you and your family.
Katie, I ran accross your blog via Dooce’s site and I read through the struggles your family has had with your son. I firstly want to say how sorry I am that that the story has ended so tragically. I also wanted to let you know that you’ve opened my eyes and I will be a better parent because of you. I was brought up by hippies and there were bongs taller than me in our house from the time I was born until I was in college. I experimented but never with anything heavy and my husband and I have discussed what we will do if/when our girls (now 7 & 5) “experiment”. In the past, I was not terribly worried but now, because of your struggles, I am on my husbands side and the hammer will come down if we ever find out about any illegal drugs in their vicinity. I want to thank you for that. Peace and loving vibes are being sent from me to your entire family and circle of people who cared for and about your beautiful son Henry.
Just a reader writing to tell you how sorry I am for your devastating loss. May your beautiful boy rest in peace.
I’m so, so sorry. I don’t have children but I read about Henry on Twitter a week or so ago. I’ve been following along and hoping for a miracle. I can’t say how much I wish for you and your family that you’d gotten one. He really was beautiful.
(P.S.: please don’t feel as if you have to respond to this comment, now or ever. the last thing I want to do is create some to-do list item for you or your family right now.)
Came here (now and on many previous occasions) via Instapundit. Can’t begin to express how sorry I am to read this. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Katie, I am so very very sorry. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts. My heart is breaking for you.
What a beautiful, beautiful young man. Thank you for sharing his story.
I’m so sorry. Henry’s story will influence my parenting as well…thank you for him.
I wanted to add my condolences as well. I only found your blog yesterday through “The Happiest Mom” and spent a long time reading all of your posts about your son. I checked in today and I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As the mother of a 2 1/2 year old son I can’t imagine the grief you must be experiencing. I want to thank you for sharing your story during this unbelievably difficult time because it will help other families. May peace be with you, your family and Henry.
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something that could be said to take the pain away, but there isn’t. With time your love for him will cover the wounds and wash away the bad times. Eventually it becomes only the beautiful memories. May that time come very fast for you and your family.
Katie,
I am so sorry.
My thoughts are with you and your children – both born and unborn – right now.
So unfair. I am so very, very sorry.
He is a beautiful boy, love to you and your family. Much love.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. (((hug)))
I am so, so sorry for your loss of your beautiful son. I am praying for you and your family.
Larissa, The Netherlands
I am so, so sorry for the loss of your beautiful son.
I am so sorry for you, your family, your friends and everyone who knew your son. He will be greatly missed by so many people. My thoughts are with you.
Marijke, Belgium
Katie, my heart goes out to you and your family. May you all be held close in the love of your extended family and friends.
my heart goes out to you and your family. i’m so sorry and wish I could say more.
i’ve never commented here before, but i’ve followed your son’s recent tragedy.
words cannot express how sorry i am for you loss. and how grateful i am that you’ve been brave enough to share your story with us.
sending healing blessings–from one mama to another.
My heart is breaking for your family at this saddest of times.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Katie,
My friend posted your site on facebook and as soon as I saw those beautiful pictures of Henry at the top of your site I started weeping. He is so, so beautiful and full of life in those photographs.
I am feeling this incredible web of mothers who you have woven together in your pain and your joy. We are all with you. Thank you.
Sue Johnson
My deepest condolences to you and your family during this terrible time.
I didn’t know your story before yesterday, but the pictures, and your story, I’ve pieced together from babble and other sites, and your own archives.
Henry was a beautiful boy. He was not his addiction. He was so much more. He was and is inspiration. I have talked to my 6 year old son about drugs because of Henry, and I will continue to do so as he grows older, and will also talk to my 2 year old daughter when she’s old enough to understand what I’m saying. I will start them early talking about the dangers of drugs and the peer pressure they could see. I will tell them they have a safe place to talk about it in me and their father. I will remember Henry every time the subject comes up.
You have opened a dialogue about something still considered taboo, and I think you’ll have helped countless parents deal with the minefield of drugs and where experimentation can lead. I personally cannot thank you enough for your openness and honesty surrounding Henry’s situation. I know you’ve received some flak for your decision to tell the secret you’d kept for so long, but I want you to know my opinion is that you’re helping so many more by being open despite what the judgers think.
I will remember Henry, his beautiful curly hair and vibrant eyes and smile, his easy demeanor, and his potential, and also what the drugs took away from him. I won’t forget.
My deepest condolences. Your loss is breaking my heart. I’m so sorry.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story, I am sure it has impacted many mothers as it has me. My prayers are with you and your family.
I am so sorry. The pictures are beautiful. Your words bring me to feel like I am there with your family, as much as a strangers heart can ache for you, your son and your family. Which is more than I can describe. Henry looks so much like my littlest brother. I can’t stop crying for you. I am so sorry.
I heard about you from Twitter. I’ve spent the past hour reading about your heartbreaking journey with Henry. I’m so, so sorry.
And scared. I caught my 14 year old high in April. I told the school. He ended up suspended and we started counseling,etc. He’ll be 15 next month and I am scared. Scared because although he says he is done, I know he thinks it doesn’t do any harm. He’s at that age where he thinks he’s invincible. He’ll be 15 in a few weeks and I am scared for him.
Thank you for sharing your life.
He is beautiful. Truly.
This is my first visit to your blog. I am crying for you and the loss of your beautiful Henry. I am so very sorry.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.Thank you for sharing your heartbreaking story. I will be watchful for signs of abuse in my own children.
Hugs and prayers
Kathy
Your family is in my thoughts during this unbelievable time. Your son will always be remembered by so many internet “strangers” who only met him through your beautiful words.
So sorry for your pain.
Katie, I’m so sorry. Thank you for your courage, and peace and comfort to you and your family.
I am so sorry. My thoughts are with your family.
I am so unbelievably sorry for you and your family’s loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
May he be at peace. Love to you and your family during this difficult time.
I just learned of this. I know there are no words that can help, but please know you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
I just started reading your blog and I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I have a 13 year old son who I worry will follow the pack. I will be sharing your story with him and make him see how life is precious and can turn in a heartbeat. Cheryl
My deepest sympathies to your family, my heart is breaking into a million pieces for you. I can not wrap my head around this. I just found your blog today through zoot and have spent most of the day reading about Henry’s tragedy. I can not stop thinking of your family. It could so easily be any of us. It could be me. My own now 24 year old son dabbled in the drug scene as a teen but after a DUI/arrest he seems to have moved away from it. (I hope, he no longer lives with us, so anything is possible)
You are so brave for sharing Henry’s story, I hope his legacy saves other children from the same fate. Your family has touched so many lives, and you will all be in my prayers. Sending much love and strength your way.
I can only add my name to the countless other strangers here who have been changed by your son’s story, and your own. I just discovered your blog days ago and have been profoundly affected. I am so sorry to hear that Henry has died. Like many others, I have used his story to begin tough and necessary communications with my own eldest son, aged 7. He is sensitive and smart enough to begin the dialogue now. He joins me in sending condolences to your whole family. Thank you for bravely sharing your beloved son with us.
I am so sorry to hear about your son. I will keep your family in my thoughts. My son, 16, and I will continue our conversations about drug use, and hopefully Henry’s story will have an impact on him and his friends.
I am so sorry. My son didn’t die after taking a drug’s overdose buthe has been left mentally and physically disabled . I often wish he had died. If Henry was going to be left mentally disabled maybe one day you will think death was the best thing for him.
I’m so, so, sorry.