"I never thought I'd be standing here, in this quiet corner of our home, holding a faded photograph of my son at his first birthday. The smile on his face still carries the warmth of joy and innocence we all wish could last forever." - This is where our story begins—a deeply personal moment, filled with love and loss.

My name is Marne, and I'm here to share something that feels almost too private yet so incredibly important: the unexpected journey through grief after losing my son, Josiah. In just three short years of battling congestive heart failure and renal kidney failure, his life was taken from us far too soon. It happened so swiftly; we had no time to prepare or plan for what came next.

The shock has been overwhelming—the kind that makes you question everything about your past, present, and future all at once. But amidst the pain, there's a profound need to honor Josiah in a way befitting his vibrant spirit. His celebration of life service is our chance to celebrate him, but it comes with costs we hadn’t anticipated.

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." This quote feels like a tender reminder of how quickly time slips through our fingers. Josiah's legacy shouldn’t be marred by financial burdens during such a vulnerable time; his celebration should be about love and remembrance, not money worries.

That's why I turn to you—our community. Your support isn't just helping with cremation costs or the service expenses; it's supporting us through one of life’s most challenging chapters. It's saying that Josiah mattered deeply enough for his memory to be preserved without adding undue stress on our family during this time of mourning.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference in easing the financial burden and allowing all of us—relatives, friends, even strangers who have heard about Josiah's story—to come together in unity to celebrate his life without worry.

"We never said goodbye to you with tears," reads another quote that carries deep sorrow yet also strength: "For we always knew you could hear." Today, I choose to believe those words deeply rooted in hope rather than despair. Your support will help us make Josiah’s celebration as heartwarming and comforting for his friends and family as he would have wanted—a moment of joy instead of sadness.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us, through the grief, struggle, but ultimately, filled with love and hope. Please share Josiah's story if it touches your heart or resonates deeply within yours. Every share counts; every memory strengthens our resolve to keep his legacy alive in all the beautiful ways we can.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Marne