Gerard Joseph Schuchard Jr

The reason I haven't wrote lately is because I've been a little busy. Wednesday night after driving school my dad had txt me telling me to call me after I was done. Okay, no problem! So I call him, we talk the usual and then he says something within the lines of Gerard is gone. I don't think I have cried as hard as I did when I hear the news than I have in a very, very long time.






If you haven't followed Gerard's journey with me, here is his story. On Saturday November 20th 2010 he went to the doctor in Carrington, ND after he found a bulge in his abdomen. After a CT Scan they discovered he had cancer. He was very young, 19 to be exact, and this all came as a shock to everyone. He was strong threw this entire thing, but God called him home Wednesday because he felt Gerard had fulfilled his purpose in life.




Because Gerard lived in North Dakota, we didn't get to see him a lot except when they made trips to Mayo. We made so many memories together, and I will cherish them all for the rest of my life. You see, Gerard had this effect on people, you met Gerard once, you'd remember him for a life time.



One thing I would like to talk about it how Gerard would talk to you about ANYTHING! You name it, he'd talk. One thing he was very open about was his battle with cancer. If you had a question, ask him and he'd give you the best answer he could give.


*didn't realize how much I said "like" until I read over our messages*



Another thing that ONLY Gerard did was mess up your hair. It was just something that he did and it didn't matter how mad you were that your hair looked like a rats nest, you just couldn't get mad at him! :)



He also always made you feel good about yourself. If you thought you weren't doing something right, he'd tell you were the best at it. He'd also always make you feel important.






But, if you really knew Gerard, you knew how big his funny bone was.











Same conversation..








<-- And he thought I was the goofy one.. ;)


One last thing about Gerard is that he would NEVER let his problems get in the way of helping others.



Pictured above is Gerard with a mask on due to health at his brothers graduation.




Staying strong for Christmas, pictured with his siblings.

Although his death is so horrible, it has made me realize how important every day, every minute, and every second of your life is. I've noticed lately that I can have quiet the attitude, yes I'll admit. In the end, that attitude or argument, could be used to change someones life. Towards the top you can see that NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, Gerard's all star, wrote to Gerard on Facebook after him and his dad had took a vacation to watch a race. Isn't that crazy how Gerard's story even touched someone who people would die to be for one day.. I think that says something abut how special Gerard was how what he meant to every one he met.

Gerard,
I'm going to miss you terribly (she writes as if she doesn't already miss you). You were the person I could ALWAYS come to with anything, and you'd be ready and willing to help, no matter how you were feeling. I know this after journey is going to be SO hard for myself and everyone else who knew you. In the end, we really just have to focus on the fact that you are in a pain free place and messing up other girls' hair. I can't wait to see you in the future and meet all your new friends you've already made within just a short period of time. Love ya man,
Sydney