Missing Christian
by on September 13, 2018 in Family

I remember it like it was yesterday. We were living in Moorpark, CA. We moved up to the golf course.

It was a great period of when our babies were just that… babies. Kayley was probably around 16, 17? Clark was a couple years younger, JJ was around 5 or 6 and Connor was 2 or 3 when we got there.

We made new friends… we became part of the community and one family that was very prominent in Moorpark was the Arnaud family. Eric is one of the greatest guys you'll ever meet. A pillar of the society. All the local activities… Rotary Club… fund raising always for the community… and very hands on with team sports for his kids.

My wife Tracy reminded me the other day that the first time she met this family was at JJ's karate classes when he was 6 or 7. In this class was another boy named Christian. Christian Arnaud. Tracy really liked this family and became friendly with them. She was particularly fond of Christian's little sister Sascha who was 4 at the time, as Tracy recalls.

A year or so later JJ said he wanted to go out for little league baseball since all the other boys did. Funny how you want to fit in. As it turns out he wasn't a freak for the sport but you could see how the social aspect of it was what he really loved. The reason I point this out is because when I played little league I loved it and really wanted to excel in it. I was an average player though… well, maybe slightly above average but not one of the better players. Both JJ and I found what we really wanted to go after… so did, and does, Connor. We're music makers.

So JJ joins little league and we get him on this team that ALWAYS wins. John Koonce is a guy who LOVED to coach. And his team won every year! Drove the league and the other teams nuts. But he wasn't doing anything weird… I was at the practices, (when I was home), and he just had this knack for identifying the best talent, assembling it and managing wins. He also played everybody, as you need to do in those leagues… I watched him. The players who weren't his best talent were given game time… and there were times when the game was on the line, and he'd put the kids in.

You know who those players were? The ones that weren't his stars? My son, Christian and John's own son! The 3 guys who were a bit afraid of the ball… I remember it like it was yesterday. Watching all 3 of our sons standing in the batter's box and you could feel the terror in their sweet little faces. And the pitcher would wind up, throw to the plate and our boys would step back, away from the ball. We all were frustrated… if only WE could be standing in the box for them! But we couldn't. Had to let our boys work this out, for themselves.

And as if a script had been written, there were those occasions during the season when each one of them would make contact with the bat and ball and we'd go crazy in the stands! A moral victory. To not go through the entire season without hitting a ball.

But I look back on those times and remember them so vividly because we were young fathers. We were all connecting as families. We'd have holiday parties and we'd all be there. My wife thinks it's halloween every day so our parties were, and are, inevitably themed with ghouls and scary things. We have so many photos of the games she'd put together with these kids and we have movies of it as well.

Well, when my family and I moved to Nashville in 2008 we said goodbye to our friends in Moorpark and LA. Social media enabled us to stay in contact, somewhat, with our old crowd but as what usually happens, we fell out of touch with our crowd in LA.

Somewhere around 2012 or so… I made a trip out to LA and as I'd do when I got to town, I'd drive out to Moorpark and just go through the neighborhood, remembering, and quite frankly, dreaming about coming home someday. On one of these trips I ended up at a soccer field and Eric was there coaching his daughter's soccer team. There was an overwhelming feeling of being where I was supposed to be. I took a photo of the 3 of us and sent it to Tracy. I could hear her sigh all the way from Tennessee to Moorpark. And little did I know that a seed would be planted.

It still was a while until we were able to spend time with these people again but eventually when my mother in law got sick again we went out to Utah temporarily to spend the last few years with Tracy's parents. And eternally grateful to have been able to make that move.

And when Tracy's parents had passed we knew we needed to split our time between Tennessee and California so we got a 2nd home. Eric Arnaud was, and is, our realtor. He helped us sell our house in Moorpark and helped us find our 2nd home in California a year and a half ago.

As I got back into the flow of California I plugged into my old recovery support systems… as many of you know, as of this writing, I am 31 years clean and sober from drugs and alcohol. Eric is somewhere around 25 years as of this writing.

When I got back to town and we would attend recovery meetings he told me the struggle he was having with Christian. Real struggle with drugs. Oh boy… I saw what was going on… and my kids were, and are, exposed to it. It's brutal. The culture today is just brutal of what's going on out there. What's acceptable. Heroin… a drug that when I started getting high as a kid in the 70s, if you used heroin you were a real outcast. A real hard cord drug addict. Pretty much resigned to the fact you're going down the tubes.

I'd heard of the overdoses… they weren't as often as I hear of now, but maybe they were a bit more hushed because it was such an underground drug.

And let me also go on record right now and say that I know more than ever I was born at the perfect time, for me. With what's going on out there these days… the way I used drugs… the pull it had on me… the patterns… if I was just starting out now… let's say I was 16 to 23 years old, right now… I don't know if I'd be here. The way I'd push the envelope… the way I'd *try* things… trying to be cool. The way I thought “nothing too bad is ever going to happen to me”… thinking I was invincible… knowing I was in trouble… uncontrollable… addict… but still, it won't happen to me. That attitude, with what is out there these days… I truly believe I would be one of the best candidates to be a statistic. I just hear about it and see it too much right now.

And now it's come home to me as close and real as I can imagine. Actually, I can't imagine. Don't want to imagine… but I don't have to anymore. It's here.

I was having coffee a few days ago in a coffee shop and all of a sudden I look up and there is my friend Eric… must have been 7:30am ish? I take my headphones off, I see Eric's eyes look a bit red… he's just standing there with a strange look on his face, I ask, “What? What's going on?”, he starts to shake, starts crying and says, “It's Christian. He's dead. He's gone.”

It's one of those moments you hear about… when you hear something that just won't process… you see I had performed at the Ventura County Alcoholics Anonymous convention just a few days earlier and Eric was there. He came up to me and was beaming… telling me how well Christian was doing. “He's got 65 days man! He's doing so well!”. I couldn't have been happier for him.

And when Eric delivered this news a few days ago… a mere 2 or 3 days after the convention after he'd been doing so well… I couldn't believe it. I still don't. He told me that Christian had smoked heroin. He just relapsed but obviously his tolerance wasn't there. As they say, the progressive nature of addiction is that our brains are moving forward as if we never stop… so if we do, and then start, the body might just not be used to the amount our brains are telling us is ok.

So here's where it gets really tough for someone like me. My friend, his family, our family, is gutted by one of ours being cut down so early. It was a mistake, and not that that matters… even when it's intentional… doesn't matter. We've lost them and there's something that needs to be dealt with. It's a multi-headed monster… it's not as simplistic as to say we need to go after the dealers, although I believe we need to as one part of this… but there will be another one that pops up. There is a need, a marketplace for all this.

For me? Being here, present in my family's life right now is another thing that is ultra important… is it the guarantee of it not happening to my kids? Absolutely not but as I talk with my kids and family about… I'm about looking for the edge. Working the percentages. As they told me when I was in rehab in 1986, “Out of the 15 of you in this room, in a year 3 of you will be sober… in 5 years 2 of you will be sober. In 10 years, 1 of you will be sober.” At that moment, with nothing else than just making a decision… not knowing how I'd do it, I silently said to myself, “I'm going to be that 1 person in 10 years.” I got home New Years eve in 1986 and got to work. Did what was suggested… they showed me and told me the odds still aren't great… but I wanted all the advantage I can get.

90 meetings in 90 days? I'm doing it. And the naysayers… the ones against the hardcore 12 step dogmatic approach… ok, I can appreciate that too… believe me, at this point I believe recovery has evolved to where just like education, it's not 1 size fits all… whatever and however you can do it, find it… just find it.

But again, for me, I'm going to do whatever has worked the best, so far. And what I've really gotten from my years in recovery is no matter what you're involved with/in, get in it. It's about being a *part* of something… a part of life. I told someone the other day that for me, it's about finding your crew. Starting with 1 person. Not being alone… the isolation is the thing that kills.

I know for myself that if I had a relapse, (fortunately haven't had one, yet, in almost 32 years of sobriety… but I also know that we're never out of the woods), my first instinct would be to beat myself up for failing or even more important, *not being perfect*. And then the downward spiral happens… and hey, it doesn't have to be with substance abuse… it can be with any mistake… to start pounding on myself… and go down the tubes, at first mentally and then without reaching out and connecting with someone who knows how far down it goes?

I can only imagine that with today's world and what's out there that when one relapses and is alone… when the shame sets in, it can be just fatal. When I think of when I was out there using in the 70s and 80s I would try to clean up and for short periods of time I would, but when I'd relapse it wasn't with stuff that would kill you like that. Sure, I could make the decision to go all the way but there weren't the *accidents* that we have now. But still… as I said before, I just consider that the luck of the draw… of being born before the choices could be so much more fatal.

That's what is so brutal about my little sweet friend Christian. It was an accident. He didn't mean to die. But that's what happened.

I was at Eric's house last night with my wife and we were all sitting around the kitchen and they were going through photos to give to the funeral director to put the slide show together for the service on Sunday. There were lots of friends there supporting them and it was a mood you'd hope to see… we have been talking for a couple days now about how everything happened and it felt good that my friend was putting the pieces together… to try and make any kind of sense out of it all… and you can feel that initial stage of the shock and numbness where you need to get through it… you're surrounded with support… and there was a moment last night that I just paused and observed.

Here was a big stack of photos… and someone would find a new one… of Christian as a baby, a little boy, a teenager, making some sweet face, a sly smile, and everybody would start laughing remembering the joy… and I just thought, “Wow… they're dealing with it as well as anybody could” and all of a sudden I felt this higher level of perception happen… I imagined Christian in that kitchen looking onto this scene… and watching his father chuckling… and remembering all the times spent with him… all the times he was trying to help him… and knowing that the real hard part is coming… and thinking… “Ok! It was an accident! I didn't mean for this to happen. Please let me come back and make this all ok. Please let me have a do-over to spare them of what's to come.”

I really felt that. And it made me think of what that might be like. To be right on the other side of this life and to be looking back with a perspective. And how I think about these things a lot these days… of putting ourselves out into the future and wondering if we could do it all over…

I'm going to let you in on something very personal right now… as my wife's parents were obviously ill and it looked like they weren't long for the world… when her father passed first, (and no one was expecting that… we were there in Utah to support her mother whose breast cancer had come back and it was obvious this was the final march), I saw what it did to my wife. For someone who had been there so strong throughout the years I was gone, I saw the first bit of vulnerability. Saw her needing me more than ever. She wouldn't say that of course… she's as dutiful as any band wife/road warrior's support system… but I could see it. And knowing her mother was in her final decline… I asked myself to look out 20 years after her mother had passed… looking back and remembering that at that moment, 3 years ago, I saw my wife's life crumbling and I told her I needed to stay gone… which would in essence be telling her she's fending for herself… what message is that sending?

I then looked at the statistics… remember how I was talking about the numbers and the odds? I saw that when people made choices other than showing those they love what matters most… most likely, in 20 years I'd be like a lot of people I'd seen making those choices and decisions…

So I imagined a conversation with God, or whatever you want to call it… something other than myself… something I could ask, “Ok, I've made a choice that has produced a result, I'm not happy with, and the worst part of it is I KNEW BETTER. I was enlightened. I can't feign ignorance… I can't wake up now 20 years later and say I didn't know. I knew… remember when I was writing about it in my 50s? So that's the part that bothers me most… I KNEW BETTER… but I made certain choices and now ask myself why? What was SO important that I didn't go home to take care of those beautiful people who needed me? I'd give anything to go back and do it differently. Is there any way I can go back and do it over?”

And God says to me, “Yes, I'll let you go back and make a different decision. You've at least come to me when there was still time to make a choice. It's not too late.”

And so I went back in time, and 3 years ago, took the incredible opportunity to come home to be with those who needed me most.

THIS, is my DO-OVER.

And I won't get into too much detail but believe me, being home for not only Tracy as her mother passed but my sons and particularly my youngest, Connor, who really had a tough year. BUT, being home, I was there to be with him through it all and he's doing amazingly well.

And again, there are no guarantees… I know that me being here isn't the reason for anybody's happiness or successes, or failures for that matter… but I want the odds. As slim as they are, I want the odds…

Sorry to go off on a tangent about me and my family… but I wanted to illustrate that I felt this last night in Eric's kitchen… of how Christian was with us and there's no way he could be looking down on that scene, of the ones who love him the most… putting photos together for his funeral… laughing telling old stories just doing our best to put on the brave face… that he wouldn't be thinking if he could do something different we wouldn't be there in this scenario. Again, it was an accident, not that it ultimately matters… and I know I'm really making this simplistic in the big picture…

My point is that it's making me think of how to communicate to our loved ones. How to communicate to anybody for that matter. Finding a way to help open our minds to the bigger picture… that life, hopefully, is long and we'll get *through* things… let's not shame… not scold… find the support systems to communicate… be a *part* of this thing called life because from where I'm standing everybody is going through something… let's just find our crew.

Do I have issues with substances? Yes… so I go huddle up with others who share the same thing… and we grow… together. Do I have issues with those I love ever struggling with what I do? Yes, so I found my crew… Al-anon… and it works.

My hat's off to anybody who wants to try and tackle life on their own. For me and from what I've seen, if I get to the point that life is too overwhelming it makes sense to me that the same brain that is in that predicament probably isn't equipped to *think* its way out. So, I ask for help… And now going through this part of my life, Eric's, his family and friends… I see as real as it gets… sometimes we lose them. In my Al-anon groups I've heard it the whole time in the program that sometimes we just lose them. It's not always a happy ending. And we did lose one… just happens to be someone very close to me and my family.

So as I hugged my friend last night as we were leaving for the night… we hugged very hard and we both said we're going to fight this. I now know that not only am I home and present for my wife and kids but for my friends… and to fight this modern day scourge of addiction.

This is another one of those periods, like there always has been… where generations are wiped from the planet. I mean think about it… the opioid epidemic of the 1800s starting during the civil war… look what happened there… we got rid of it, for a while… and now here we are again.

And again, again, I know it's not as simplistic as to say that we just need to make opioids less available. It's about creating the environment, for all of us… to find that crew. That community… starting with 1. That sets us on the correct branch of the fork in the road.

And what can I do? Show up. And so I do. Make my contribution to the recovery community. Both LA and Nashville have amazing communities for recovery… and now I know what a good part of my gifts I've been given are for.

God bless you Christian Arnaud and your beautiful family… and I believe you can read this so just know that we won't stay far from them. And as horrible as this situation is having lost you I'm grateful that I'm seeing that my do-over in life is for much more than being there for my wife and kids. It's to be there for your father, sister and mother too.

I love you little man.

Jason

52 Responses to Missing Christian

  1. Your a good man Jason Scheff.

    • I admire you Jason although I miss you in Chicago like I miss Peter Cetera but who knows what the future will hold?

    • A beautiful read Jason. After just completing 5 years, I am forever grateful for my CREW. I have learned so much about the disease and about my self thru this journey. This is just the beginning – I’m in it for the long run. Sending love, Karen Kennedy

    • Debra McDowel on

      I was totally moved by your experience. You are a strong, brave man. I loved you from the Chicago days and still to this day play If You Leave Me Now if I am mentally unstable. It soothes me. Thank you Jason. x

  2. You’re an awesome friend Jason. I’m glad your home with your family. Love you.

  3. My husband being in the Funeral business, we have seen way to often, the unintended consequences of drug use as well as other substances. It is so heartbreaking. I commend you on your decision to put your family first above a career that you loved. There really are no do-overs when something so devastating happens,;regrets will not correct or bring sollace. Do-overs will not correct such heartbreaking events. Making the hard decisions in the first place, following your heart is what gives you solace no matter what happens beyond your control. So very sorry for your and your family and friends heartache and loss. ❤️

  4. You are an wonderful human being Jason Scheff. God bless you.❤️

  5. Beautiful story telling! I am sad for your friends loss. I to lost my son 12 years ago to a accidental fentanyl over dose! He did have a addition problem, had been in and out of treatment and died just like your friends son just a few weeks out of treatment! I offen wish for that do over. It can’t happen all I do is the best I can going forward for my daughter who has never even tried a drug because she was younger then her brother and watched it all. I miss him so much no matter how much time passes. The pain does soften a bit with time.

  6. YOU are where you are supposed to be, when they needed you to be there. Always follow your heart…… Please give them our strength, Jason.

  7. Jason, your soul is filled with limitless love. Wishing I had a friend who is as compassionate and loving as you. Christian is with you always. Not a moment will pass that he won’t see how much love and support you are giving his family. ❤

  8. I have known for the past 30 years what an AMAZING person you are, but reading this our world is a better place in it Jason Scheff!!

  9. Very moving words, Jason. I miss you in Chicago but you are doing what is best.

    • VICTORIA WILLIAMS on

      A VERY INTERESTING STORY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY FOR BEING BY YOUR FRIENDS SIDE THROUGH THIS TIME OF SORROW. MAY THE FOND MEMORIES OF CHRISTIAN FOREVER KEEP EVERYONE STRONG!

  10. Hey Jason you truly are a very special human to think about and help you friends in time like this you and Tracy are wonderful parents and are there for your kids it seems like it takes tight family and I mean all FAMILY members to be watching out for each other in crazy times like these I am so proud that my kids have turn good it took a family for this happen for me. God bless you and your family and christians may he Rest In Peace.

  11. Jason, What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful young man who was taken way too soon. My husband has been in recovery since 1985. Back then it was primarily alcohol that seduced most. We praise God every day for sparing his life through recovery. Thank you for bravely choosing to leave the life on the road with a wonderful successful career. We all enjoyed your gifts and talents. It is inspiring to watch as you explore your new possibilities. It is nice to read your transparent writing. Because it is so personal it will encourage many. Praying for healing for Christian’s family as they celebrate his life. Thank you, Ginny

  12. My thoughts and strength goes out to you and Eric’s family. I am so sorry for this lose. Jason, you are, and have been a huge mentor/advocate in my life, and I have tried to have the strength you have, with dealing with friends, families and past patients. I thank you for that. I have tried so hard to be that advocate to all. Last couple of years I’ve seen so many families go through what Eric’s family is going through. It’s tough to be on the other side of that as you are, and as we all have been. Seek peace in knowing the pain has gone away from him. Be strong my friend, Eric and his family are blessed to have you by their side. I love you
    B

  13. I knew the evening I met you doing a presentation of the line of Secreat Skin Products there was a specialness about you. After learning more about your history as you’ve been recently writing about and Especially after reading about your friend’s son Christian, I have such respect for you and the way your put your own family first. I hope someday we cross paths again and I can have a chance to meet your wife who sounds like a champion herself. So very sorry and sincere condolences for the loss of a good kid and family friend Jason.

  14. Jason, I don’t know you, but would love to meet you some day. Your words and thoughts are a blessing to many, but especially to my friend Eric. Thank you for sharing and for being there for the Aurand Family. God bless them and you.

  15. Thank you for being there to my dear friends, Eric, Sherri and Sascha. I’m sure your beautiful words give them some peace and I know that your presence will help make this a little bit easier. I don’t know you, but you are an inspiration.

  16. Jason , you are a good man . May God bless you in your ministry to help those who are struggling.

  17. Thank you Jason for sharing this heartbreaking story and for sharing your own personal battles. I respect you so much for that. As a long time Chicago fan (since 1969), I got see how much you seamlessly fit into the Chicago lineup without missing a beat plus adding your own stamp on Chicago’s sound. I also got to see up close, how nice you are when meeting you in person during Chicago’s “sing with Chicago to fight cancer” back in 2012 as I woefully tried to sing “If You Leave Me Now”. Didn’t really know what happened when you left Chicago….was hoping it was temporary (for my own selfish reasons) but it was not. We, as fans, seldom get to know the real reasons why our favorite artists leave a situation, but as a fan, I not only appreciate you telling us why but applaud you for making this decision. As always, my best to you and your family

  18. Your words are a blessing. Thank you!

  19. Wow just lovely !!!!!!!!!!

  20. i like how you point out that even though it was a mistake- it doesn’t matter- it’s a loss that you and his family will always have to live with.

    I feel honored to be able to read these blogs as I feel I learn so much about life through them.

    You were on the road for a long time. But you now have the next 50 years to be with your family and make beauful music. And maybe do more things you never had a chance to do.

    I also love that you reconnected with LA- it’s stilk the music capital. And there’s a lot of music in you still.

    May you and your family find peace during the next few months as you look back on this sad yet inspiring story.

  21. Jason,
    We have lost several friends to drugs and alcohol. It is heartbreaking. Finding support in a community is vital for the addict and the ones who love them.
    I can imagine him asking for a do over too. I’m glad you took advantage of your do over moment and went home to be with your family when you did. Like you have said before…”Someday this won’t be here” So true! People, places and situations can be gone without notice at anytime. We must zoom out and see the big picture of how choices today will change our legacy. For you to see how your gifts of music can make a difference on an even higher level now, is proof to me that He had a hand in that moment around the table.
    Our heartfelt condolences to you and the family from Billy and me. May your memories of Christian bring you peace and comfort.

  22. Such beautiful words Jason. Praying for you all during this difficult time. They are all so blessed to have you by their side to help them through. God bless you Jason!

  23. Thank you for this! I sent it to someone who really needed to read this! Wishing this family and yours peace!

  24. I watched Christian start on the path he was on, it’s blurry and most of it remains a large blank spot. I was only a year or two older than him. I wish I knew then- and had seen what I have- what I know now. The hope I’ve found. The despair I’ve seen the drug I picked up at 16 and let wreak complete havoc in the *mere* 600 days I used it for create.
    I sit here this Sunday morning reading this, barely starting to process that another one of the small community of Moorpark has been given their wings… and feel more heartbreak.. and so many other emotions that I can’t even name.. the amount of friends profiles that have been turned into memorial pages.
    I wondered while reading this who would be the author of this article if it were me. The fact that I can do that is scary, and horrifying, and so sad. I’ve always lacked gratitude for things, growing up as comfortable as Moorpark is, and victories big or small are easily overlooked and swept into the bustle of daily life. This is a sobering moment- and with 37 days sober for the first time in over 9 months.. moments rarely exist where gratitude and heartbreak exist in the same space. Right now is one of those moments. It starts with just 1.

  25. I don’t know you, sir, I’m just a fan of your music, but I wish peace for you and your family, always, and the best wishes on where your life’s work takes you.

  26. I appreciate you being open and speaking your mind. It’s not easy to tell the world about your personal life struggles when you are famous. It’s also not easy to be on the receiving end of youtube negative comments for years. You’ve handled everything that has been thrown at you with grace. You are really a classy person. Best of luck.

  27. Jason, hi. I met you in Baltimore at a fund raiser for Cool Kids. We played some songs together. I’m the keyboard player. You used my gear.

    You told me that you had left Chicago on good terms…I had no idea what that really meant, and how important it was to you to be there with your family. There’s no doubt that you made the right decision; the only right decision. You are obviously a very grounded guy.

    I’m so sorry for your friends, and for their loss. It is a parent’s worst nightmare, losing a child.

    I hope to see you at the next fundraiser. Take care.

    Norman

  28. anthony guadagno on

    Thank you for sharing. Prayers for all.

  29. What an amazing story – I am truly at a loss for words. Thank you so much for sharing it.

  30. Jason… I don’t know what I could add to all the incredible supportive comments, prayers, and condolences you are receiving. I really never knew the reason you and Chicago parted ways. I always admired your outstanding talent.We met several times at various Chicago meet and greets… and of course I don’t expect you to remember but the point of this is that I am seeing a person who so loves what he does professionally putting it on the “back burner” to be with his family. I get it… and wish you and your family peace and contentment. Take care….

  31. Wow. Thank you for sharing. You’ve discovered something many don’t figure out until it is too late. Sounds to me like you are being the man God wants you to be. You listened to Him and your actions speak louder than words. All the best!

  32. . Although I miss hearing you with Chicago, you are exactly where you need to be ❤️

  33. This is an inspiring story. You have an amazing gift of writing that touches people’s hearts. Thank you for making yourself available to those of us who follow your experiences via social media. You are blessing and encouraging many. 1985 was a stellar year for my family with three finding sobriety and me finding alanon. Unfortunately my ex-husband did not find recovery for another 25 years. He died from the results of his addiction. I became a substance abuse/co-dependency counselor and actually took this information to the mission field attending the first ala-non meeting in Mongolia. Recovery saves lives. Thank you for your witness.

  34. 7-21-19 I just watched a Chicago concert on tv and the singer sounded much different so i wondered what happened to the other guy and came across you and Christians story, having lost my beautiful daughter to a overdose of heroin and fentinal 11 months ago i was moved by your story and decision, 10 minutes after i read your story i remembered that i took my mom and my 9 yr old daughter to see Chicago in 1990 at the Front Row Theater in a suburb of Cleveland and we sat in the first row, it was Shannons first concert and you where right there. Thank and best of luck to you and your family.

  35. Jason Scheff, you are a great family man and an amazing and caring person. God Bless you and your family!

  36. There really is no substitute for not being there. I play music out locally in the Atlanta area and I feel the strain it puts on my younger son. I wish it were easier. I really enjoyed seeing you before your departure from the big group. Thank you for sharing this.

  37. What a beautiful , moving , heartfelt , and poignant tribute to Christian. And to be so candid yourself about your own personal struggles. It is so apparent that you , clearly , are in touch with your feelings . You truly are an inspiration . For some , it takes great courage to express their feelings and to delve into highly personal issues . Although I have never had addictions to anything whatsoever, being brutally honest is the key to understanding oneself . Like you , I know where I / things have gone wrong ,and I am not going to lie to myself and others and believe everything is hunky-dory , when it absolutely is not. The ability to be introspective and to understand oneself , in part , I believe, is the key to happiness. As real , sad , and tragic as this story is for those who loved and knew Christian , thank you for taking the time to thoughtfully compose this blog and for sharing it with us . All the best to you and your family .

  38. God bless you Jason. I miss you much but you made the right decision that most of us probably wouldn’t have. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family and your friends family.

  39. You just amaze me Jason Sheff, I am in awe of you. I met you through Todd Rundgren and boy am I glad to know you. I was also on the Rock and Romance cruise this past year and met your talented son Connor also! Looking forward to seeing you at RRXIII

  40. We have to equip our children with the word of God to protect them from the evils that lay and wait. We do need to be present for our loved ones.

  41. Thank you. Beautiful and wonderful words and story. Appreciate the sharing of such a profound dialog that needs to be shared and spoken about. God bless!♥️

  42. Wow…what a beautiful moving story…I have 3 sons i dont know what I would do if I lost any of them….they were and always will be my life!! Love u Ryan, Matt and Kevin with all I have….u 3 are only borrowed, but I am so thankful God allowed me to be your mother…I cherish all 3 of you till Jesus takes me home…lv mom

  43. Very inspirational Jason!!! I myself have been going through addiction. My liver failed this last July through alcohol. I stopped cold turkey since and going through miraculous recovery. Liver is healing and feel so much better. So this story hits my heart. I am a huge fan of you and your voice and music. I myself am a musician, singer and song writer. Friends say we sound alot alike. Haha I wish. Thank you Jason for you being you as a person and musician. You are truly a blessing to many!!!

  44. Thank you Jason…..for your inspiring and honest words. It gives me hope and strength to read your thoughtful writings. Best of love to you and your family!

  45. Jimmy James Champlin on

    This may be years late, but God bless you and yours. Thank you for sharing this, it’s clearly a very deep pain… I hope that somehow opening up has allowed the healing to begin.

    I also had no idea about your fight with addiction. However, knowing that you’ve been able to stay sober as long as you had at the time of this writing – and I hope still until this day – tells me that I can deal with my own problems.

    Thank you so much for sharing, sir.

    Yours,
    Jimmy Champlin

  46. I’ve been sober for 8 years. I have a friend who lost his son to heroin. You are a good person, Jason. One day at a time. Rich

  47. I knew from the time you joined Chicago that you were special.
    I found your song Memory Survives and it really warmed my heart, I knew you had lost someone very close. But you wrote it and shared with those of us who suffered great loss. I thank you for that. I’m glad you found your way back home to your family where you are needed. Prayers that you continue to be the 1 success story in your recovery. You have given so much and have more to give! Blessings to you and your family Jason!

  48. Millie Gammill Cain on

    Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound. God Bless You Jason. I’m Tom Yankton’s mom. Keep on keeping on

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