Jonathan Comfort passed away December 29, 2019. I personally don’t know details of that yet, but wanted to update those of you who have donated, and those of you who still might want to. Funds will now be used to support Ann Marie and her five kids as they grieve and make preparations to lay Jonathan to rest.
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“It’s the most wonderful time of the year...”
Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! For many of us this means finalizing holiday plans, planning gift lists and preparing to make all things merry. It’s an exciting time of year filled with anticipation, joy and making memories. The air is alive with the spark of magic.
But for many, this season is fraught with numerous emotions. This is certainly true for Jonathan and Ann Marie Comfort and their family. In 2017, at the young age of 40, Jonathan was suddenly, heartbreakingly diagnosed with level 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma – an inoperable, incurable brain tumor. It has been a hard, scary two years, and in May of this year he was put on hospice. He and his family were told he was expected to live just two more months.
His sweet wife Ann Marie just gave birth to their 5th child – baby girl Zara - in September, a surprise blessing! Her days are filled juggling sleep exhaustion and nursing, caring for their energetic 3 year old, Zander, and homeschooling darling 11-year-old Abigail. On top of this, she manages Jonathan’s hospice care and medication as well as her family’s emotions while her husband’s tumor changes him before their very eyes.
Honestly, we only recently met this family, but over dinner and home-networking chatter, we quickly clicked with them and just love them so much. In the Comfort home, they know any day with their “fun guy” Jonathan could be their last. By the grace of God he’s already outlived doctor’s predictions, and the family is doing their best to just enjoy each other in the time they have left. They are fellow Jesus-lovers and experience His grace daily. Watching Ann Marie in action as she patiently, peacefully serves her family is inspiring to watch. Nothing about any of this is easy, and yet she does it all with compassion and grace.
It has been a long season already of learning to trust in the Lord in very tangible ways. With Jonathan unable to work, each month the family waits to see how the Lord will provide for their mortgage and bills. In January they were prepared to move back to Oklahoma where it is more affordable, but so far the Lord has kept them here, close to their community of loved ones. (You can read some of their journey, written by Ann Marie, here.)
As Christmas approaches, I can only imagine the emotions this family must be battling. The harsh reality is that if Jonathan makes it to Christmas, it very well could be his last with his family. Much like Jonathan’s personality, the Comfort family does Christmas big. Ann Marie finds joy and solace in decorating their home and wrapping gifts to bless her family, but this year, after having to sell a lot of their belongings at garage sales to pay the mortgage earlier in the year, it just isn’t going to happen without some real help.
My husband Greg is desperate to help this family have a wonderful, normal-ish Christmas. He had the idea to surprise them with having the outside of their home decorated for Christmas, and the ideas have only snowballed from there. We found a company that will help us get their home decorated outside, but it still costs a good chunk of money. We’d also love to get some funds so Ann Marie can buy her 5 kids gifts and celebrate the season in the ways their family has become accustomed. Anything beyond that can go to mortgage and medical bills and the many needs a family of 7 has.
Just look at these sweet faces! Can you please help us give the Comforts a very Merry Christmas?
Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! For many of us this means finalizing holiday plans, planning gift lists and preparing to make all things merry. It’s an exciting time of year filled with anticipation, joy and making memories. The air is alive with the spark of magic.
But for many, this season is fraught with numerous emotions. This is certainly true for Jonathan and Ann Marie Comfort and their family. In 2017, at the young age of 40, Jonathan was suddenly, heartbreakingly diagnosed with level 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma – an inoperable, incurable brain tumor. It has been a hard, scary two years, and in May of this year he was put on hospice. He and his family were told he was expected to live just two more months.
His sweet wife Ann Marie just gave birth to their 5th child – baby girl Zara - in September, a surprise blessing! Her days are filled juggling sleep exhaustion and nursing, caring for their energetic 3 year old, Zander, and homeschooling darling 11-year-old Abigail. On top of this, she manages Jonathan’s hospice care and medication as well as her family’s emotions while her husband’s tumor changes him before their very eyes.
Honestly, we only recently met this family, but over dinner and home-networking chatter, we quickly clicked with them and just love them so much. In the Comfort home, they know any day with their “fun guy” Jonathan could be their last. By the grace of God he’s already outlived doctor’s predictions, and the family is doing their best to just enjoy each other in the time they have left. They are fellow Jesus-lovers and experience His grace daily. Watching Ann Marie in action as she patiently, peacefully serves her family is inspiring to watch. Nothing about any of this is easy, and yet she does it all with compassion and grace.
It has been a long season already of learning to trust in the Lord in very tangible ways. With Jonathan unable to work, each month the family waits to see how the Lord will provide for their mortgage and bills. In January they were prepared to move back to Oklahoma where it is more affordable, but so far the Lord has kept them here, close to their community of loved ones. (You can read some of their journey, written by Ann Marie, here.)
As Christmas approaches, I can only imagine the emotions this family must be battling. The harsh reality is that if Jonathan makes it to Christmas, it very well could be his last with his family. Much like Jonathan’s personality, the Comfort family does Christmas big. Ann Marie finds joy and solace in decorating their home and wrapping gifts to bless her family, but this year, after having to sell a lot of their belongings at garage sales to pay the mortgage earlier in the year, it just isn’t going to happen without some real help.
My husband Greg is desperate to help this family have a wonderful, normal-ish Christmas. He had the idea to surprise them with having the outside of their home decorated for Christmas, and the ideas have only snowballed from there. We found a company that will help us get their home decorated outside, but it still costs a good chunk of money. We’d also love to get some funds so Ann Marie can buy her 5 kids gifts and celebrate the season in the ways their family has become accustomed. Anything beyond that can go to mortgage and medical bills and the many needs a family of 7 has.
Just look at these sweet faces! Can you please help us give the Comforts a very Merry Christmas?