Remembering James Bickford

At the age of 26, and after a decade fighting a brutal and often debilitating battle with addiction, James Bickford passed away on August 4th. As the mother of his five year old daughter, I can say that he is a man that I've loved fiercely since the age of 14. A man that was so brilliant, selfless, and positive despite the unbearable demon of addiction always sinking its fingers into his brain when he was least expecting it. He fought so hard towards what we both wanted, to be there for his child and for me, but addiction is merciless and he fought an uphill battle. That does not diminish the joy that our family found together over our many different chapters. 

The right words still elude me, as there is so much more to say about James and the light that he was in this world, in my world, and the journey that we have been on for the past 8.5 years. All I can articulate at the moment is that at the age of 23, I am trying to wrap my head around how to begin providing a dignified resting  place for the man that my daughter and I cherished beyond words. An incomparable soul, eternally 26. I am humbly asking those who knew James, and those who know our radiant child, to contribute any small amount to help me offset these costs on my shoulders. I cannot bear this grief, I cannot imagine moving past this grief, but I know that memorializing him in a place reminiscent of his beautiful soul and with the dignity and care that he deserves will provide comfort for myself and for Ariya for the many years to come as we both battle with what it is to carry on without the man we love.