Makayla Santiago-Davido

Makayla Grace Santiago- Davido born on January 2nd, 2002 daughter of Emely Santiago and Frank Davido. Nurtured, raised and loved by her mother and step father Pedro Morales, who came into her life at the age of four. Makayla chose to end her journey on this earth Wednesday December 16, 2020.

She is survived by her parents, her sisters; Jeivhan and Elianna, her grandparents; Maxine and Wayne Ackerman, aunts; Linda, Evelyn, Bunny, Kelli and her uncle Santos, cousins; Ian, Kaitlyn, Joey, Santi, Karina, Mikey, Sephira, Evan, Avery and Anaya.

Makayla was blessed with a vibrant luminating smile and contagious laugh. She was adored and loved by so many. She was effervescent, bubbly, strongminded, intrepid and benevolent with a carefree spirit. She loved spending time with her family and friends, and making people laugh. She invariably made it a point to tell others what was special about them. Makayla was always there for her friends as well as those she knew socially. She regularly made herself available to listen and be there for others in need of love and emotional support. She spent countless hours being a shoulder to her friends and anyone else who needed it. She was a natural at comforting others, bright; and always had the best advice. She made her mark trying to be a light for those around her. She was deep and real. Forgiving of others, sometimes to a fault. MAK (as her friends would call her) was fun to be around, full of life with a fiery little attitude.

She poured out so much and forgot to save some of that light for herself. She never allowed that light to shine down upon herself. She slowly poured all of her love and care into everyone else's cup, leaving hers empty.

She was artistic, determined and always stayed true to who she was. Her kind heart and natural beauty radiated from the inside out. Makayla was fearless. She spent her life full of resilience, commiseration, fervency, and demonstrated an exemplary compassion for others. Those she allowed close to her heart experienced a profound love that cannot be put into words. She was truly devoted to and protective of the ones closest to her.

A treasured daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend who was loved immensely. She was one of a kind, the echelon of beauty. Kayla left a part of her in every heart and soul she touched.

Kayla loved fiercely. She found it feasibly easy to love but difficult to allow herself to be loved. Our beautiful girl carried with her an unrealistic fear that “everyone she loves would leave her.” She effortlessly offered herself as an outlet for others forgetting she deserved the same.

Makayla's family and friends were aware for quite some time that she was struggling with deep rooted pain, depression, PTSD and inner turmoil as the result of feeling abandoned and rejected. At times; introverted and private, Makayla didn’t share with many the hopelessness and feelings of defeat that began to consume her. She did her best to keep those inner demons at bay, to rise above and persevere. To her family, words were not needed to see and feel her insurmountable and all-consuming pain. Makayla displayed strength and was a fighter until she no longer felt she had any fight left.

It is beyond the bounds of possibility to prepare for the morbid reality of losing a child. Especially, at such a young age. To lose Makayla in such a manner is unfathomable. It is an indefiniteness too painful to accept. It has caused a longing and desperation to perceive the exposition and distinct irrational of that which is mental illness. To realize the devastating effects of being consumed and tormented by things she had no control over. Her death has scarred us in a significant, painful and permanent way. Suicide is a convoluted end and exacerbates an array of feelings and stigma.

The 2nd leading cause of death in the US from the ages of 10 to 34 and the 10th overall. Suicide claims the life of 132 people on average daily. Undeniably an epidemic of massive proportion, leaving families everywhere devastated. Healing and recovery for families is necessary to establish a balance between the cumbersome blows of abandonment, resentment, rage, confusion, shame, appall, self-blame, dejection, guilt, regret, despair, perplexity and hope, joy, love and the comfort that ensues us keeping our loved one's spirit alive, through joyous and blissful memories. It has left us ineffably empty. The silence throughout our home often broken by heart-wrenching screams and cries of unimaginable suffering.

The disparity, desperation, and anguish Makayla must have experienced, to feel this was the only way to end her pain and leave her loving friends and family is incomprehensible... a catastrophe and heartbreaking. Obscurely, Makayla believed we could live this life without her. As much as that belief is aggrieved, we will draw strength from her faith in us to carry on. We will carry our happy memories of Makayla with us. Her determination, intelligence, strength and warmth, as well as her fears, her flaws, her pain and premature death. It is a tragedy this incredibly pure hearted young lady was not able to feel how deeply she was loved and adored.

We will keep her memory alive by telling her story and speaking her truth without shame. We will forever feel a sense of pride that Makayla Grace was a part of us. We will see a reflection of her face and kindness in the ones she loved and who loved her so much. We will cherish, preserve and decorate the walls of our home with her beautiful paintings. We will laugh, we will cry, we will thrive, but life will never be the same without our witty Makayla Grace. She is deeply missed.

Depression is the premise of skewed perception and the thought process of those afflicted. Makayla sometimes believed she was alone, far from the truth but a misplaced reality in her fragile adolescent mind. Makayla's story is similar to so many enthralled in the debilitating grasp of hopelessness and despondency.

Driven by a desire to provide clarity and insight to the confusion and distorted thoughts Makayla was enduring, I am sharing an entry from her notes. She describes a concise introspection into her thoughts through her writing.

“Everyone has a reason for how they act & usually a broken person acts out in a toxic way because of things they been through. & me being me I see that & just want them to be okay. Like, I have a weak spot for them. I feel like I know how it feels to be “alone” & usually it’s people who feel like they have nobody or feel like everyone’s always done them wrong. I just wanna be their safe haven. Like I wish I could just save everyone from feeling alone. & give everyone love.” - Makayla Grace

It is a sad culminating palpability that despite our earnest efforts to get Makayla help her mind continued to play tricks on her. Depression is a diabolical deceiver. “I'm okay” “nothing is wrong.” To those of us on the outside looking in, what appears often to render a discernment of resilience is not. The words “I'm okay” can allow concerned loved ones to develop a false assurance. If your intuition vociferates the tiniest of doubts do not allow that seed of relief to prompt you to put on blinders. Remain vigilant.

This silent epidemic is catastrophic. It's necessary to talk about it, bring awareness, shout it from the rooftops, in hopes it may help even one person break their silence, open up and speak. A difference can and must be made. To help society comprehend, we must advocate to families, friends and anyone that will listen. Be benevolent, show kindness, be open-minded, more importantly; listen without judgement and respond with sincerity and genuineness. Even if only one life can be saved to obviate another family suffering by drawing attention to an illness that is disregarded far too often it is worth it, and our precious Kayla’s death will not be in vain. Know the signs, save a life, be a source of hope. Do whatever it takes to help prevent another senseless loss of life. Mommy loves you now and always.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK anytime day or night.

Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7 confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

Romans 14:8

If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

If you wish to make a donation to the family please reach out to Makayla’s aunt Evelyn via email at Evelynritz70@gmail.com, she can also be reached through text or telephone at 214-478-2436.

There is also an option to purchase flowers for the memorial services listed on the website.

COVID 19 Restrictions will be in place by practicing social distancing and wearing a mask at all times