A Tribute to My Dad: A Story of Strength, Love, and Resilience:

As we approach the fourth anniversary of my dad's passing this Tuesday, May 21st, I want to honor his memory and share how his story aligns with the mission of The Jordan Leigh Foundation.

My dad was not only a tough guy but also a sensitive soul, a recovering addict who showed immense strength in overcoming his struggles.

This is my tribute to him.

Growing up, my dad faced numerous challenges that deeply affected him.
He had a strained relationship with his father, who left home when my dad was young. This abandonment left a lasting impact on him, as he felt responsible for his mother’s heartache. Like a lot of kids do, my dad took on the responsibilities of his parents relationship.

Another traumatic event from his youth was witnessing his friend being shot and killed by another friend. This incident haunted him, and he often replayed it in his mind, wondering if he could have done something differently. I remember how he recounted it for me - as if by going back in time he could change the trajectory somehow.

But despite these challenges, my dad found love early on with my mom. I truly believe they were soulmates. But their life together was not without it's difficulties.
My brother was born when my mom was 19, and my dad was barely in his 20s. The stress of young parenthood, combined with his traumatic experiences and feelings of abandonment, led my dad to seek solace in addiction. Partying became an escape for him, numbing his pain and offering temporary relief. But this is how addiction works: at first, it seems to numb you and the pain you feel, but eventually, it creates pain everywhere, affecting not only the person suffering but also the onlookers who care.
His partying created turmoil in his relationship with my mom, who started to feel he loved his addiction more than his family.

My dad had periods of sobriety and then relapse. My mom and brother moved to Calgary for a fresh start, and my dad followed them. Years later, after I was born and we moved back to Montreal, the cycle of addiction began again.

I witnessed firsthand the struggles my dad faced. There were times when he was away from home for months, and seeing him in such a state broke my heart. The person I saw was a shadow of the dad I knew - the funny, protective, and confident man who loved to sing.
Despite this, I never treated him differently; he was still my dad, and I think there is strength in loving someone through all their phases.

When my grandmother, his mother, passed away, it sparked a profound change in my dad. Losing the closest person in his life - the woman who raised him - motivated him to seek the path of lasting sobriety. He rekindled his relationship with his father, mending old wounds and seeing things from a more mature perspective. This was a significant step for him, and something I know meant a lot to him.

As I want to be better for my dad, he wanted to do better for his mom.

My dad passed away in a car accident while on route working for Canada Post as a mailman, but he had been sober for seven years before his death. This is an accomplishment I am incredibly proud of.
He showed me that no matter the hardships in life, with perseverance, there is always purpose.

In his final years, my dad became the best version of himself. His relationships with his family improved, and he embraced his talent for singing. He was attentive, loving, a great husband to my mom, and the best dad I could have asked for. He relished in his sobriety and took so much pride in it.
I miss him every day, and I am so lucky to have had not only a dad but also a best friend. He exemplified courage, revealing to me the endless possibilities that unfold when we commit ourselves to a goal—even by doing, “just one thing a day.”

If you are fighting a battle right now and thinking of giving up, please don't! You have the strength to overcome it. Your past doesn't have to be your future! My dad's story of recovery and resilience is a testament to our mission at The Jordan Leigh Foundation.

By breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction and showing more compassion, we can support others in their journeys.

Thank you, Dad, for showing me the way.

Love always, your Jilly boo. <3