Garrett Schram
May 21, 1995-Oct. 1, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008 11:01 AM PDT
Meridian
Garrett Schram, born May 21, 1995, passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer, he was 13 years old. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at Summers Funeral Homes, Ustick Chapel.
Garrett was diagnosed with cancer on Aug. 24, 2007. Throughout his treatment of chemotherapy and radiation he was very brave, never complaining. His determination was amazing! Garrett had a wonderful personality; he made friends with the nurses, doctors and staff at M.S.T.I. and St. Luke’s Hospital. He made them laugh and enjoyed pulling pranks on them.
We thank them for all the love and care they gave Garrett! Garrett loved life! He played optimist soccer and football, rode skateboards, dirt bikes and mountain bikes.
Garrett loved the family cabin and spending time out on Cascade Lake, jet skiing and being pulled behind the boat. Fishing was a favorite pastime, along with collecting Hot Wheels cars. Like typical teenagers, he loved his video games, watching scary movies and hanging out with his friends. Garrett liked rock and roll music but he was especially fond of the “old” stuff. He has an AC/DC album hanging on his bedroom wall that was a prized possession.
Garrett’s most recent hobby was tropical fish. He loved his new aquarium and had names for all of his fish. We could go on and on with all the things Garrett enjoyed.
Garrett was just a happy-go-lucky kid that was a pleasure and joy to be around. His smile could brighten a room, and his laugh could warm your heart. Garrett’s favorite sport was football; he was a big fan of BSU, Oregon and the New York Jets. He had the privilege of meeting his football hero, former Jet’s running back Curtis Martin this summer; it was very exciting for him.
Garrett also made some other very special friends, Michelle Edmonds, Thalia Assuras and Coach Pete.
The one question that Garrett would ask: “Why is this happening to me?” No one will ever quite know why, but we believe it was so he could touch the hearts and lives of others. Garrett didn’t consider himself a hero, but we all thought he was. His strength and will to live will be passed on to help other cancer patients.
His selfless act of paying it forward to get a teen room shows exactly what a powerful individual he was. Garrett knew that he would never see the teen room or be able to benefit from it, but he knew that it would be important for others.
Thank you to all who are helping to make Garrett’s dream come true!
I am.
Poem by Garrett Schram:
“I am courageous and daring. I wonder about how Stonehenge got there! I hear the motorcycle at the race gate rev up. I see friendly faces looking at me. I want world hunger to go away. I am courageous and daring. I pretend to be thrilled when I am bored. I feel free when I gaze at my aquarium. I touch the fuzzy peach hair on my head. I worry that my fuzzy peach hair will fall out. I cry for all the suffering people that have lost a loved one in battle. I am courageous and daring. I understand why freedom is so important. I say I believe in liberty and peace in all countries. I dream of being a marine biologist. I try to be a good person. I hope that my cancer won’t come back. I am courageous and daring.”
Garrett is survived by a loving family and many friends who will miss him greatly! He will live forever in our hearts, never to be forgotten! Garrett was an extremely strong individual who wanted to be a part of everything that had to do with his medical treatment as well as his death.
Garrett was very matter- of-fact and knew exactly what he wanted. In order to respect his last wishes, Garrett will be cremated and his ashes scattered over a coral reef by the two people he loved and trusted to make sure it happened. Garrett loved animals, especially dogs.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in Garrett’s name to Greyhound Rescue of Idaho, 7154 W. State St. #119, Boise, ID 83714, or (208) 703-0333.
Buggie, we love you very much. You have fought long and hard, and we hope you have found the peace that you deserve! Wherever you are, we know that you are running, laughing and smiling! You are truly an extraordinary young man, and we will miss you!!!
