Attachment to Part 9: ‘We kind of created a monster’: How the sober home industry infiltrated Henrico courts
Cassie Godsey’s best friend, Will, shared the following at her funeral:
Cassie is my rock, personally. She was always reliable in a way that no one else has ever been, for me. When I was at my wits’ end, I could count on her for a laugh, a ride, a favor, an embrace. What I found is that when someone provides that kind of emotional safety, you look at them like you would a family member. That’s what she was to me, irreplaceable. Like my mother, my sister, my wife. Someone who will always be in my heart and my life whether I like it or not.
Cassie is tough and tender in equal measure. She could handle herself in any situation fearlessly, but I would sometimes marvel at what would wound her. She never failed to treat me with a kindness and compassion that defined our relationship. We’ve never raised our voices to one another. That’s really significant to me.
Cassie, when she would really laugh, when she had let her guard down, and was laughing from the soul, had the staccato laugh of a child, and it was beautiful. I only got her to do it a few times, and I pride myself on being pretty funny.
I know that Cassie’s addiction has to define her in some way, now. I don’t know how that reads though. I’m still baffled by it, she and I both thought she was bulletproof. When her mother told me, I was honestly completely shocked. I know she was hurt and confused by this world and her experience, because I am too.
I love Cassie in a unique and profound way. I realized that the last time we spoke, we said all of the things that one would want to say in a final conversation, and I was grateful. After reflecting, I realized that that was how we communicated; openly, honestly. We talked about how much we cared and how much we longed for one another and how much we valued each others’ company. I went back through our texts and that was simply our rapport. I feel extremely lucky to have had that, with that one special girl.
This is not difficult, talking about all the things I loved about Cassie. The hard part will be learning to live without her.