By Cathy Kimmel
Review Staff Writer
Work continues on the Schrauger home and, according to Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, they are hoping to turn the keys over to the family sometime in July.
Patterson said he believes the progress on the house has been very steady and very fast. ‘A lot of people have come to the table to make this possible,? he said. ‘It’s a labor of love for all of us.?
Patterson and Oakland County first developed the project after hearing about the many tragedies the Lake Orion family was facing.
Eldest son David, an Army specialist, was injured during service in Iraq last Father’s Day. He was riding in a Humvee when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, causing injuries to both his spine and arms. The months that followed featured a multitude of surgeries, prompting travel back and forth to Texas for the family, and ultimately resulted in dad, Cliff, staying down there with his son.
Due to the financial strains, the family’s Lake Orion house went into foreclosure.
Then the heartache continued with the loss of sons Joshua and Timothy in a car accident on Sept. 29. Both boys were students at Lake Orion High School.
Several local individual and businesses from southeast Michigan have gotten involved in building the home for the family.
‘It’s hopefully going to be a city of refuge, a place of comfort, and it’s a beautiful home coming together and we really look forward, as a community project, to welcome (the Schraugers) back to Lake Orion where they belong,? said Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh.
At the home, the drywall is up, the cabinets are next and some work will start soon on the yard, according to Patterson.
As the home continues to be built, the family works on healing their hearts and knowing that one day, they will see Josh and Tim again.
‘My brothers, Josh and Tim, were both wonderful, godly young men, Christians, and I know that I’m going to see them again,? said David, who accepted his brother, Josh’s, high school diploma earlier this month. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen them now, but I have full confidence that I’m going to see them again and that has been the biggest comfort for me ? knowing that they are up in heaven.?
David, who was in town for commencement from Texas with his wife Katie, said the one of the hardest things for him was that when his brothers saw him for the last time, he was in really bad shape. As times goes on, he noted, it gets a little easier and credited his wife for helping him through all of this.
‘It’s been incredible to have a wonderful, supportive wife,? he added.
Parents Cliff and Vicki said they are both working through their pain.
‘Some days I feel like ‘okay, I’m doing a lot better? and then something will hit and ‘will I ever get better again, will I ever be whole again??? said mom, Vicki. ‘I know it’s in the perseverance and just continuing to not try to escape a lot. Just keep plugging away and just asking God for comfort.?
Cliff said he takes a lot of comfort from being back at work and having a schedule to adhere to, as well as his family.
‘I’m a little afraid to say I’m doing better because it feels like you are dishonoring the kids,? he said. ‘I think you reach a maximum level of pain, whether its divorce or death or your house burns down. You just max out at your pain level.?
‘When you lose a child, it’s permanent and I don’t think the pain ever leaves, maybe a certain level, but if you keep on living, you simply learn to have a different threshold of pain.?
‘The things that have helped me ? my wife, the kids and their wonderful sense of humor, and knowing, like David said, the boys are with the Lord, we will see them again, and knowing that God is in control,? Cliff added.
In addition to David and Katie being in town for graduation, daughter Kristina was in from North Carolina, where she is a teacher and lives with her husband, and son Stephen was in from Saginaw Valley, where he is a student.
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The Review will continue to update on the progress of the Schrauger home, and for more pictures of the house, visit www.oakgov.com.
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If you are interested in donating to the Schrauger home, there are still some items that are needed. Check the registry at oakgov.com, click on ‘Schrauger Home Project.?