Warmest greetings, dear readers---we are a family of five living on an income below the poverty level.  That's ok…because …we have love!  I like to say we are rich in love.  

And this a little part of our story:

My sweet mom passed away in 2022, after almost a decade of the two of them being physically, emotionally, financially abused by an individual who lived in their home.  When my dad's health issues progressed to the point of needing live-in assistance, there was no hesitation -- we very suddenly left our home and most of our possessions behind and cared for him in his final months. Words can't express how grateful I am to have been able to give my dad this gift of presence. Hospice was wonderful to him and us and it really was a mutually glorious, peaceful, joyful and compassionate time for all of us. There was much healing from the decade long situation described above. He was the very best Dad, Grandpa and friend to his family and loved ones. All that truly said, we were heartbroken because my dad passed sooner than we had hoped, we hoped for more time with him. He was gone just three days after Christmas. Even though we knew it was coming, how do you prepare? 

So. Then it fell to me to make challenging decisions in the midst of an ocean of grief (both parents in the span of two years, that near decade where they were kept isolated from my family, I am on a journey of trading sorrows for joys but this is often easier said than done), to just…go out and do business, with few resources. 

Unfortunately his savings were so dramatically depleted by the elder abuse that we are now left struggling to pay for his burial and associated funeral home expenses. I have gone over this so many times in my mind, how to figure this out, how to get through this on our own and still keep our family afloat, but it's just not coming together so here I am, last resort, asking for community support. I know there's a lot of good people still in the world. I believe there is a power greater than us at work all around us  – call it Love. 

Please if you have it in your heart to contribute, any amount would make a difference toward the amount we need. The funeral is scheduled for this week, and I am concerned because the funeral home we are working with is expecting payment in full around the same time.  I am so overwhelmed with not knowing how this is going to be paid for, but I am trusting goodness to guide us through it. Thank you for reading and for being kindness in this world