Today is my birthday.
And I’ll be honest… the last couple of days have felt strange.
Beautiful, heavy, magical, emotional—strange in the way only grief mixed with spirit can feel.
Yesterday, Maddie and I went dashing. A dragonfly met us early in the day, circling the car slowly, deliberately. We just watched it hover, like it was keeping watch over us.
Then, on another dash, we paused for a school bus. The stop sign was out, so we waited. No biggie. But the driver waved me forward—they weren’t quite ready with the child. I waved back politely and that’s when it happened:
The driver signed “I love you” in ASL.
My heart caught in my throat. That’s such a Garet thing.
I wondered if I imagined it… but then I saw Maddie’s face. She saw it too.
The Messages Kept Coming
Last night, I asked Garet for something. I said,
“Alright Dude, if you’re really with me for my birthday, send me a specific car.” I told him what car I wanted to see. Not only did I specify the brand of the car, but also a specific color.
Today, I didn’t see one of those cars.
I saw two.
And then—because spirit wasn’t finished—I got home and saw the news:
The HALT Fentanyl Act was signed today.
July 16, 2025. My birthday.
The day that now marks a pivotal move in the fight against the very thing that took my son.
And to top it off? I opened an ad email (I rarely do), and the subject of the email was about an image from Garrettsville, Ohio.
I mean… come on. You can’t make this stuff up. I didn’t even know there was a Garrettsville anything!
Was It All Coincidence?
You could say yes.
You could say I’m reading into things.
But I don’t know what to think.
Not when the dragonfly shows up over and over.
Not when the bus driver signs “I love you” out of nowhere.
Not when the car appears twice.
Not when the act that could save other lives is passed on my birthday.
Not when Garrettsville pops up in my inbox.
No.
This was Garet.
This was my boy.
This was a birthday message from beyond.
Why the HALT Fentanyl Act Matters
If you’re not familiar, the HALT Fentanyl Act stands for “Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl.” It strengthens efforts to regulate, track, and reduce the spread of fentanyl-related substances.
Fentanyl isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a silent killer.
It’s what took my son.
And it’s taking thousands more, often in moments that were never meant to be fatal.
This act matters because it’s one step in preventing more heartbreak.
It matters because if even one life is spared, it’s worth it.
And it matters because every signature, every regulation, every law… might mean someone else’s child comes home.
What I Hope You Take From This
I don’t share this because I need sympathy.
I share it because I want you to see.
To see the signs.
To see the spirit.
To see the loss.
To see the action.
If you’ve ever lost someone to fentanyl, my heart is with you.
If you’ve ever felt a whisper from beyond, I believe you.
And if you’ve ever wondered whether your voice matters in all of this—it does.
💛 Let’s Talk About It
Have you ever had a sign from someone you’ve lost?
Have you ever felt like they were right there, reminding you they haven’t gone far?
Or do you want to honor someone lost too soon?
Share their name. Tell their story. Drop your signs and sacred moments in the comments.
And if you want to learn more or support awareness around fentanyl, I’ll be adding a few links below.
Light and Love ~Mandy 💜
🔗 Learn More, Take Action, or Get Support
If you or someone you love has been impacted by fentanyl, or if you simply want to understand more and be part of the solution, here are some resources to explore:
💛 Understanding the HALT Fentanyl Act
- HALT Fentanyl Act Summary on Congress.gov
Details on how the Act strengthens federal response to fentanyl trafficking. - Senator Heinrich’s Statement on the HALT Act
Insight into the bill’s purpose and national impact. - News Coverage of the Act’s Signing
Media overview of what this law could mean moving forward.
🦋 Fentanyl Awareness & Support
- DEA “Faces of Fentanyl” Wall
Honor a loved one by sharing their photo or story with this national memorial. - CDC’s Fentanyl Awareness Toolkit
Resources to educate, prevent, and empower schools and communities. - SAMHSA National Helpline: 1‑800‑662‑HELP
Free, confidential support line available 24/7 for mental health and substance use concerns. - Aldea’s Fentanyl Awareness Programs
School-based outreach and harm reduction models you can support or model locally. - Fentanyl Is Fatal Campaign (Camden County, NJ)
Local PSA campaign showing how storytelling can save lives.
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