Funeral Expenses for David Schakel

I prayed this day would never come.  For the better part of the past decade my nephew fought the demons of addiction.  I know a common opinion is that addicts choose this life.  I can promise you that was not the case with David.  If anything, David fought a bitter battle to not be an addict.  He gave it all he had.   He no longer has to fight.  The unfortunate truth is that addiction doesn’t fight a fair fight.

Addiction robbed my sister of her son. It took him away from his sister.   It ripped him from the arms of his nan.  It stole my nephew from me and his aunt Ellen.  My sons have lost their cousin.  His girlfriend suffers his loss.  So many other friends and family have been cheated out of all the experiences that come with growing up and growing old.   It has destroyed his future. 

I don’t know David as a drug addict.  I know him as the little boy who loved to play with trucks and dreamed of being a heavy machine operator.  I know him as a young boy who played baseball and was one heck of a pitcher.  I know him as the teenager who loved to make people laugh.  I know him as the student who made straight A’s on his report card his junior year of high school.  I know him as the young man who never got too old to give his aunt Steph a kiss when he would leave.  I know him as the strong man who never gave up.  

Now the reason for this Go Fund Me.  Addiction didn’t just rob my nephews beautiful life.  It has left my sister with the unforeseen  expense of paying for a funeral for her 25 year old son.  This is the final bitter jagged pill of addiction.   My sister works hard and barely is able to pay her own bills   She can’t fight this last battle alone.   Please, if you can, contribute a little money to help.   Every little bit will add up.   Our family cannot thank you enough.