Christopher James Conger was born into this world on August 4th 1972. He completed our family. Mom and Dad got their BOY. We couldn’t have been happier.Chris was the “missing link.” He was so tiny and fragile looking yet his personality was fierce from day one. We loved to watch him. He was so darned cute with those crazy blonde curls and HUGE brown eyes and his crazy antics as a toddler will never leave our minds as a funny reminder.He’d do anything to get a laugh even if it meant he’d have bruises, scrapes,even the ever-present giant knots on his forehead that you can see in every single picture of him as a toddler.

He loved animals. Not your ordinary cats and dogs. He loved those too but he always had some kind of atypical pet. Turtles, iguanas, sharks,hermit crabs, fish, kittens, and Molly. I hope Molly is with you now as you were so compassionate to her when she had to be put to sleep. I hope she is sleeping with you in the space behind your knees.I imagine there are thousands of saved animals just because you lived on this earth.

Growing up Chris found his joy in gymnastics and dance. His legs were brutally strong and he was the best tumbler in town. Then as he grew older he started to dance. The boy had more rhythm. We still wonder where he got that innate talent as the rest of the family is errr…. Rhythmically-challenged.?

Chris’ caring nature drove him to the nursing field. He started school and worked so hard getting excellent grades. He had to take a reprieve from school when he was diagnosed with cancer. He was very sick. But we think mom willed him back to health. She was determined he would survive even when others said it did not look good. And yes he did get better and continued with nursing school There he many many newfound friends. True friends….not a false friend in the bunch. and finished with class and grace. He loved his tiny pediatric patients and cried to us when they left this world. He took it to heart and very hard when a patient left this world. Especially a boy named Kobe.They say nurses’ should have some detachment or work will be to hard. I’m glad Chris took his work to heart. He had a heart as big as the moon.

Something happened after Chris was recovered from cancer. Can’t put my finger on it but something happened. He started getting into opiates the last few years of his life. Finally in Nov 2006 he went into treatment well actually a medical detox. I visited him a few times and went with him to sign up there. I thought he would soon be free from the hold drugs had on him. December 2006…. He had gotten out of medical detox and stayed with my mom a few days.When he went home to his condo his drug dealer who gave him all his pills was WAITING at the door of his condo. Her husband had kicked her out(gee wonder why?) and she asked him if she could stay with him for a few nights. Well he started up immediately with the pills. I didn’t find out until after his death he had slipped quite a few times be4 Christmas. Christmas Eve and Chrsitmas were so nice it seemed he had finally felt better not depressed and was going to open up a biz with our cousin that’s been sober gosh almost 25 years. He was excited for the first time in years.The scandulous woman I referred to be4 his dealer showed up day after Christmas.Then I got the call december 28th 2006 that no one ever should . Chris was DEAD. Methadone and xanax were the culprits. My most hated culprit(methadone)IS MY TOP PRIORITY and will do anything I can to educate people of the dangers of methadone. Kids who have been hooked on oxycontin thanks to the mass marketing campaign of Purdue pharmaceuticals will now be trying to get r id of withdrawals through methadone. Unless they know and dr.’s know all about the pharmacology and dangers will I ever rest peacefully.

It’s such a fundamental flaw in human nature that makes a person take their loved ones’ presence for granted-and become complacent with the notion that they will be in their lives forever. With Chris’ sudden death, I find myself feeling so overwhelmingly sorry that there are things that I feel deeply that went unsaid. We have never been a touchy-feely bunch, us Congers- preferring the well-placed jab or left-handed compliment, to actual gushings of love and affection. But because of that flaw most of us are plagued with-we assume there will be plenty of time for the serious stuff. And I know it’s been said before a million times-but for God’s sakes-life is never a guarantee. All we have is right here right now. If you feel something, and you have the opportunity to do so-SAY IT. The uncomfortable way it makes you or your loved one feel will pass. I promise you, it’s a far better thing to spend a few awkward moments professing love, humilty, or forgiveness than to spend an eternity wishing with all your broken heart you had, but didn’t. All we can do when their gone is hope and pray that they knew, and that they took that knowledge with them. That is the fondest wish for my brother. I loved him fiercely with all my heart, and I still can’t get through an hour without breaking down, I miss him so.