David Steven Keirl

I don’t really know where to start as words don’t really do justice to fully describe David to you. David was my brother-in-law – Marc, my husband, was the eldest.

We lost David on 26th September 2008 to SADS and it was the day our lives changed forever.

David had been to work on a normal late shift at Bishop Auckland hospital and had come in, had a shower and just said he was feeling a bit funny. He then just collapsed and we lost David that night despite the emergency services doing all they could to revive him.

Shock is an understatement really as we all tried to come to terms with what had happened. There were no signs at all – David was a fit, healthy young man with his whole life ahead of him and with the blink of an eye he left us.

There was no time to prepare, no time to say goodbye. We wanted there to be a reason for it all so we could try and understand but SADS just leaves you confused and angry because there is no real reason for this pain we all feel.

It’s been two years since David died and at times the family are still in shock and disbelief at this gaping hole David has left. You really had to know David to know what I mean, he was so funny and everyone commented on his laugh and smile. Marc and David were both daft as brushes together and I know first hand Marc’s world will never be the same. He lost part of himself when David died and struggles day-to-day without his little bro.

David came from a loving and kind family and his Mam and Dad are two of the nicest people you could meet. I wish when I looked at them I could take the pain away that I see in their eyes. David left a partner and son behind and a world of pain, but he also left some wonderful memories for us to cherish – he was one of life’s good guys who loved his family and friends.

Life will never be the same without David in it. He was loved so, so much and he is missed every day by us all. We just go on with life because that’s what we have to do, but it feels a little bit darker, sadder and lonelier without David here with us.

We have each other to lean on and a world of memories to draw on to comfort us and that’s all we can do. I will never fully understand what Marc and his Mam and Dad have been through and continue to go through every day, but I know they are strong and I am so proud of them. Our family is precious – we are so lucky to have been blessed with David in our family.

“I carry your heart, I carry it in my heart”

Debbie Keirl