Earlier this week, my family lost a dear friend and my father lost his best friend, Roger. The loss has been painful, traumatic, and shocking. To think my dad was so close to being able to hang out with his best friend only for him to take his own life less than 90 days before my dad’s release has been devastating for him, for them.

Roger was a constant in my life. He held me as a baby, watched me grow, and taught me about life and jazz music. He was always around, always had a joke, and was always honest and kind. When my dad got arrested at 17, Roger is the one who gave my twin sister Marissa and I a rent free place to live a few houses down from our grandmother. It was the most precious gift - a home.

Now it is time to send Roger home to heaven. Roger has no living relatives left - we are his family. He deserves to be treated with dignity even in death and that is why I am raising funds for his cremation. We will be choosing cremation and his ashes will be with my father once he gets out of prison this September. We plan to take a trip down to LA to spread his ashes in his favorite childhood spots. In the ocean. Places he always described to my father and I.

I know I can count on my community. Thank you for reading this far and I hope you consider donating even $5.00 so that we can lay Roger’s soul to rest. Love to all.