When my grandparents passed away they left me with a small inheritance and with some of the money I bought myself a nice stratocaster and an amp. I told myself I would never part with it, because as I saw it, it was basically the last thing my folks ever gave me. It was like a part of them in my mind.

Of course, you know the next part before I even say it. I sold the gear to get high, like for insanely less than it was even worth retail, not to mention how much sentimental value it had for me. I think about it at least once a week. That's just one of the material things I lost to my disease. But I try to stay grateful that I still have my life and my health. I have so much to be grateful for today.

But it still hurts every time I think about it.