It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. On August 29th my father Ralph Colon lost his battle with mental health and took his own life. Words cannot express our families grief. My father was a kind loving man. His battle escalated during Covid and has spiraled since largely due to financial stress. He was a family man. He loved his wife, 3 children, and he adored his 4 grandchildren. He was a master carpenter by trade, but his true passion was music. Dad was lead singer & guitarist for several local bands, even recording an album. His beautiful voice has been silenced at just 56 years old.

As we are sorting through his affairs we are discovering the financial burden that certainly weighed heavy on my father. As Florida does not recognise my parents 35-year common law marriage. It falls to me to not only bury my father, but find a place for me and my young boys to live. The home we lived in with my Dad will be foreclosed on soon. I am a single mother with limited income which is why I lived in my father's home. My two younger siblings are in the same financial situation as me.

We are asking first and foremost to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges. Tell your family you love them every chance you get. If you have the means to help our family bury my Father we greatly appreciate you.

Thank you,

Miranda Colon