Unimaginable
Losing a Child to the Disease of Addiction
A stark and moving meditation on grief, love, and survivorship, Unimaginable is a mother’s account of her only son’s struggle, and ultimate succumbing to his addiction, and her enduring capacity to love and heal.
On the morning of January 28, 2018, Liz Pettit lived her worst nightmare: when she went to wake her only son Zach, she discovered that he had died in the night, an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced opioids. His struggles with social anxiety and substance use disorders ended an incredibly bright twenty-three years of life.
Through journals, poetry, and raw recollections of the events of his passing, Liz shares her memories of Zach, revealing a young man who, like many suffering from this disease, had so much to offer the world. As she tells their stories - one ended by tragedy and another bolstered by a drive toward survival - she illuminates a path forward for those navigating this grief-filled journey.
Sadly, Liz’s story is not unique. As some parents are forced to reckon with the trial and sad aftermath of the disease of addiction, Unimaginable serves as a sympathetic guide and proof that a parent’s love always endures.
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REMEMBERING ZACH
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LIZ PETTIT
Nature explorer, hobbyist photographer, and mindfulness practitioner Liz Pettit is the author of one book (this one!). She finds time daily to be with hope and with as many birds and memories as possible. She has a tiny extended family who mean the world to her, and a snuggly orange tabby cat flat-mate named Luna.
ABOUT ZACH
Zach was a love bug from the get-go when he landed in our lives. A sweet baby, boy and young man, his ever loving kindness grew with him to his 6’3” stature. Zach’s presence and actions towards others always exuded a calm and love that was as bright as his infectious smile. He was the exemplary "Friend" both in deed and in his young life at Goshen Friends School in the Philadelphia suburbs. Zach embraced Quaker values in his life, and had begun to explore spiritual paths of Buddhism.
His passions were broad and deep and fun - Zach loved both listening to and composing amazing electronic music. He was a bona fide Philadelphia sports fan, and a natural athlete, playing sports that spanned from basketball to tennis to football to soccer to swimming. A cat lover, Zach had two who found their way onto his lap over the years, Echo and Gretel. Zach's quirky sense of humor was uniquely his own.
Zach saw many corners of the world. He was born and raised in suburban Philadelphia, but his travels spanned to many US states and cities - and abroad - his favorite the San Francisco Bay Area, where he had hoped to settle one day. He walked amongst the humbling redwoods of Muir Woods and took in the vistas of Mt. Diablo and rode the Pacific Coast Highway. He ate Dim sum at Harrods and took in the cool views from the London Eye. He munched on pastry "beaver tails" in Quebec and flew down the alpine coaster in Pigeon Forge Tennessee. He went horseback riding in the crystal blue waters of Anguilla, snorkeling in Grand Cayman, and cruised the high seas of blue southern waters. He was a huge coaster enthusiast with his Dad, and no distance kept them from going for the thrill of the ride. He loved the beach and chilled on the Delaware beaches many a day.
A Computer Science major at West Chester University, Zach was looking at the glorious horizon of his obtaining his bachelor’s degree. He was pursuing a promising internship, life ahead in his own place, and a “new normal” in moving forward in his constant strides towards sobriety and managing his social anxiety disorder. This is a young man, my son, who was kind and sensitive, funny and thoughtful. A young man who should still be here, finding his feet, living his dreams.
Zach's Light will continue to shine brightly through all of those whose lives he touched.
CONTACT
To contact Liz Pettit, please complete the form.
