Jordan Michael Gregg's Obituary
My beautiful son, Jordan Michael Gregg, of Severna Park, Maryland, passed away on October 6th, 2016 from an accidental overdose. He was 28 years old. He is survived by his parents Diana (Harbison) Brindley & Ed Brindley of Severna Park, Maryland and his father Jimmy Gregg of Dayton, Ohio, his brother Nathanael Gregg of Arnold, Maryland and his sister Emma Brindley of Severna Park. Also among his survivors are his paternal grandparents, Virgil & Edith Gregg of Dayton, Ohio and his maternal grandmother Jeynie Muterspaw of Dayton, Ohio. He is also survived by many cousins, aunts and uncles and other family members.
Jordan was born on November 6th, 1987. He was a constant companion to his brother and although a few years younger – his defender. Jordan was the bold & wild one that executed all of the crazy ideas Nate came up with – and there were many. There are so many stories I could tell of their antics and how they tested me as their mother. But one of the earliest was when he was only two years old and Nate challenged him to ride his tricycle down the steep hill of our wooded lot. It should have scared him to death, but very little scared Jordan as a kid. He was brave and he loved the thrill.
But he wasn’t just a wild boy child that rode skateboards and played ice hockey or the fearless one that took just about any dare - Jordan was a charming and caring soul. No one knew that more than his baby sister, as he adored her. Not too many 13 year-old boys run home after school and ask to hold their baby sisters, but Jordan did. We never had to beg for him to watch her for a date night. Our time away gave him special time to play with her without having to share her with anyone else. He loved his time with his ‘little lizard’ Emma.
As much as he loved his family, Jordan was most at ease when he was out fly-fishing on a river, any river, anywhere. Nate affectionately called him ‘the fish-whisperer’. It would seem as much as he loved to fish, fish loved him. He could catch a fish when others claimed there was nothing to catch. It was the one place in this world he always found peace.
Jordan should still be here with his family and friends. His death is devastating to those of us that knew and loved him. It’s a senseless loss of a beautiful life. Hearts are broken and I know I have cried a thousand tears and I will cry a thousand more. But the truth is addiction shows no mercy and as easy as it is to get opioid drugs; it’s a battle of epic proportions to get treatment. Unless you have tried to help someone to get the help they need – you can’t possibly understand the almost impossible task to get meaningful and effective treatment.
Like many he started taking this poison because a medical professional prescribed it for an injury. Had he known it would forever change the course of his life, he would have never taken that first pill. The supposed cure was far worse than any ailment. What makes dealing with it even more difficult is the shame and lack of compassion and kindness from others when dealing with addiction. Sadly, too many people judge those struggling with this as they foolishly believe people choose to be addicted that its easy and simple to stop. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Jordan once wrote the following to me: ‘I have never known anything to beat me down and take my pride from me but addiction has and it’s been really hard to tell myself I am worthy of a better life after all of that. I don’t know if you can really understand but I know you try to and that has been the only thing that has held me together. You are the most amazing, loving and selfless AND forgiving person in my life and I want you to know how much that has helped me these past few years. I love you. – Jordan.’
My sweet baby boy, you were worthy. You were amazing. You were brave. You were a wonderful loving son. You were a fantastic and fearless brother. You were a funny nephew. You were an awesome grandson and you were a caring friend. Let God and the universe know – we love you more than sunshine and rain – forever and ever.
Funeral services will be held at Lasting Tributes in Annapolis on October 14, 2016. Family and friends may visit from 5-7PM; a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7PM.
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