Zack was the first non-faculty winner of the Life Raft debate at the University of Montevallo.
[http://www.liferaftdebate.com/]
I will never be religous again. Never. He didn’t deserve that. People don’t deserve that. Never again, my son, never again.
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King Theodin in Lord of the Ring said that no parent should have to bury their child. My mother prayed that she would never have to face this tragedy. I should have done the same. My Zack, my stepson. I hate the title stepson. I was proud of him. I loved him. I counted him as my own. But I gave him religion. I gave him appropriateness.
Zack, I wish I could talk with you now. Without religion. I wish I could tell you of the heresy of this program.
Regardless, I am proud of you. I love you. one more time. How I wish that I could talk to you. Your brother turns legal age this month. Your sister got her driving permit. And I remember your body. Cold. Still. How can I walk this life without you. If I had known the heresies of this program before you left, we would have had … I remember New Orleans. I remember when you ran for class president with a mo-hawk and won, and caused a disruption for the facility of Thompson High. God, Zack, I miss you.
Your bio-father was an asshole. He did not realize what a treasure you were. I screwed up too. I kept trying to save you. What an insult. I was saved just by having you around.
I miss you. So stupid. I should have held you more. I love you Zack. I am so sorry that religion got between you and I. I am so sorry. Please forgive me.
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Daily Reprieve 
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