Article January 1, 2002 ISSUE

MY FRIEND, CEZAR

by Agnes Bonifácio—São Paulo, Brazil

He was 18. He seemed like a happy, relaxed person. He loved to laugh and hang out with his friends. He had dreams just like any other kid. My friends and I didn't see him for a while, and when he came back he was really down. He seemed strange and almost never talked to us. A few days later, I heard he had committed suicide.

His ex-girlfriend, who was also my friend, told me that he had started to do drugs. She thought this had messed up his head. He had also become interested in satanic rituals.

I was completely shocked at his suicide.

I don't know why Cezar began using drugs. Maybe he felt something was missing in his life — companionship, security, love, or even God. He wasn't in the habit of talking about his problems. That's probably why he didn't ask for help from his friends. I know I would have wanted to help him, to give him hope.

I know that God loves each of us. He knows us and gives us everything we need to be free and happy. Nothing else — drugs, money, or any other material object — can do that. God is the only power. With His help, we can solve any problem. We don't have to try to just forget about problems. That's what I try to remember whenever something goes wrong in my life.

Today, I think about the good times my friends and I had with Cezar. And I know that at some time he, too, will feel God's love. This gives me peace.

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