The stud of the sea is just about the only consistent energy we have on this season of Below Deck. I get that Eddie Lucas isn’t totally new, but he has such corny dad energy now. This is his redemption year. It seems to be going pretty well, I guess. It’s also largely unremarkable. So back to the man of the hour, Captain Lee Rosbach.
Lee has been a fan favorite for years. This season has been an extra treat getting to see the softer side of captain. While he’s always been integrous, this charter season has been next level. He’s been extremely vulnerable with charter guests and crew about the tragic loss of his son.
Captain Lee has been largely open about his son’s death and struggle with addiction. After the season wrapped, he has continued sharing out more and more. He’s even had a sit down with The Ellen DeGeneres Show on the matter. Us Weekly reported on the interview which covered Lee’s grief process and decision to share everything on Below Deck. Lee claimed, “I don’t think enough people are paying attention to it. They don’t realize that addicts aren’t the dregs of society.”
Lee added, “It crosses all social boundaries, it doesn’t make any difference how much money you have or you don’t have. It affects everybody.” He said, “[It’s] an insidious disease that knows no social status or geographic boundaries. Whether you live in a 10,000 sq ft mansion or a double wide trailer, the path of death, destruction and devastation it leaves remains the same.”
RELATED: Below Deck Star Captain Lee Rosbach Gets A Tattoo To Honor His Son Joshua
About his dearly departed child, Lee gushed, “We loved Josh unconditionally and were proud of the man he had become in spite of his problems. There was no one I ever knew who gave more of himself to those in his life. He loved with all his being without expecting anything in return. We both feel a hole in our souls that will never be filled.” Ugh. My heart.
Getting back to the opioid epidemic, Captain Lee shared, “I don’t believe in the last two years I’ve talked with anyone that doesn’t know of someone personally that has paid a steep price for this opioid crisis we have, and nobody says anything about it. It’s the elephant in the room that nobody wants to confront. Somebody has to step up.”
RELATED: Captain Lee
He continued to hammer home the gravity of his loss. He added, “The hole in your heart’s never going to go away. You can’t replace it with anything else. We’re not generally constructed to bury our children. From the time you’re born, you know you grow old and your parents pass away. It’s not the other way around. And when that happens, it’s completely devastating. So, you deal with it. You hope that you develop better coping skills to get through it.”
And about his own coping, Lee said he’s taking it “one day at a time” but it has not been easy. He said, “My message to those of you who are fighting this disease, find a way to get help no matter what. For those of you who have a friend, family member, son, or daughter who’s struggling, do what ever it takes to get them the help they need. Be kind and loving, and try to enjoy every second you have with them. Do not pray for our son, but please take care of your children and friends who may need it, as it isn’t too late for them.”
Strong words from Captain Lee. We wouldn’t expect anything else.
RELATED: Below Deck Star Captain Lee Rosbach Reflects On His Son Joshua’s Passing A Year Later
TELL US – PLEASE SHARE YOUR FEELINGS ON LEE’S WORDS HERE. HOW ARE YOU VALUING YOUR TIME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES TODAY?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
