Zackery Joseph Schmidt

To My Son Zackery from Mom - - It was just another Saturday - - until it wasn't. Ran errands, came home found you outside lying very still, your face showing a quiet peacefulness. It will be weeks before we know what silenced you.

You were an old soul at 32 and foretold of your passing last year. You said you would pass on around Jesus's age of 33. You sustained a TBI (traumatic brain injury) at 11 years old. It imprisoned your mind. Your TBI caused loss of memory, focus and impulse control, headaches, extreme anxiety, sleeplessness and seizures. TBI chose you – you did not choose it. Your OSU (Ohio State University) TBI counselor once told us that, "Just because you cannot see a disability, does not mean it does not exist."

We as parents along with your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents nudged you on - always supportive. You were blessed with a son, Ty Hunter Schmidt. TBI and drug addiction crossed paths and the next 10 years were a blur. Along the way, you received your GED, met an exceptional mental health counselor who believed in your possibilities. Found one lawyer who championed for you. She made the court system view TBI and drug addiction as mental health issues. She did not give up and succeeded in moving you forward on your journey. The judges and mentors were there through it all. You completed drug court and most recently graduated from EDGE. You loved your new job working for Goodwill Industries.

You found God and moved forward slowly. Found your laugh again. Music was an inspiration. Discovered talents in different mediums, working with wood, leather, slate and finally painting. You found your passion. Your abstract paintings dot the Columbus landscape and beyond. Your paintings reflected the ebb and flow of your life.

Found common ground which gave way to peace with your Pops and with those you had disconnected from. You stood up against bullying, spoke to the homeless on the street and on the bus. We sheltered a few along the way. You gave dollars when you had them. You wanted the world to be a better place. You lost three dear friends in the past six months and sustained three serious head injuries. The last one while riding your bicycle at OSU. You did not complain but pushed on for the next month. On Friday night, we took time to view the night sky as soft clouds crossed in front of the moon. You connected with the earth, sky and all the people you met along the way. You taught us to live in the moment. We will miss you. You requested no funeral and chose cremation. Honoring your request. A special memorial will take place later this year.

You did tell me that when we die – we fly. Your soul took flight on June 26 and will remain free for all eternity. Halleluiah & Amen until we meet again.

Donations: Learn about brain injuries at Brainline.org. Donations can be made to the Brain Trauma Foundation. It is a non-profit organization which helps improve the outcome of those with traumatic brain injuries. Also, support mental health treatment for children. Join the movement and support the On Our Sleeves to break stigmas about mental illness in children through Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.


To leave a special message for the family, click the "Share Memories" tab.