CIRCLEVILLE – Tim Neff, Jimmy Neff’s father wrote a touching and real letter to the editor yesterday to express his loss and to talk about his struggles throughout Jimmy’s and his life.
Here is the letter retyped:
Dear Editor,
I’m writing today to thank all the people who assisted my wife and family in their efforts to locate my son, Jimmy Neff. Tragically he has joined the ranks of those who have succumbed to the scourge of drug addiction. Anyone who knows me personally, knows that I too have forfeited much of my life to this insane weakness. Even from the midst of our grief we want to express our gratitude for the outpouring of love and compassion received from our small community of friends.
My son was a man of kind and gentle heart. Who never wished harm upon a single soul, but did not recognize the danger of his condition, and lost his life to the anxiety that condition caused him.
I understand there is some animosity toward the local authorities for what is perceived as indifference towards my family’s requests for help. Please do not use my son’s passing as a justification in assigning blame. I’m certain these men and women who are parents themselves, grieve with us and are just as disheartened at such a futile loss. Let’s remember, they deal with the enormity of this problem daily.
On the night before our Lord suffered his passion, he told his apostles, “the spirt is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.” This statement best illustrates the final year of my son’s life. He was so willing to have Jesus come into his heart and save him from his personal weaknesses. He just couldn’t escape the anxiety his failures caused him, but God’s grace has released him, and taken that broken spirit to flight.
Thank-you all for your love in our hour of grief.
Hug your precious children and kiss the son.
God bless you for your kindness
Timothy Neff
More letters and stories of Jimmy Neff are located here
If you have a loved one suffering from addiction and needs help please contact the Circleville Police Department to see if they can help. A special program called the Angel Program is offered for immediate help. All you have to do is show up to the station and ask for help. Heres the story on that program. Please feel free to share it also.
