Loving Support for the Stephens and Smith Family

My name is irrelevant. I'm here to talk about my dear friend and her daughter.

I've been friends with Christa for over half my life. My friend has the sort of heart which could restore faith in humanity on a daily basis. She is one of the kindest, most compassionate individuals anyone could have the fortune of knowing. She has literally helped keep me alive, and right now we need to show her the same courtesy as she is going through the worst tragedy a parent can experience.

Paige Jillian, a highly intelligent, strong-willed, compassionate and beautiful girl, lost her life on the morning of January 2nd. She had celebrated her 16th birthday a month beforehand, and welcomed a new baby sister two weeks prior to her untimely passing.

Paige was the victim of a house fire at her father's residence. Her father survived with serious injuries and is being treated in the hospital. He has a large support network of family and friends. Unfortunately, he and Christa have a complex, painful history, of which I'm not inclined to give details as they aren't mine to share. What I can share, is that neither Christa or her living children are being considered in the preexisting fundraising efforts due to familial strife and a history of parental alienation on her end. Christa is being forced to mourn the loss of her firstborn baby while caring for a newborn, and aiding her middle daughter, Abby, through the process of losing her big sister.

There is a meal train for Christa, which is exponentially helpful, but grieving mothers need more than just food, especially when they're looking after grieving children. Let me be very clear that she is not the one readily seeking this out, others are on her behalf. Those of us who know our friend know she's as humble as they come. No amount of money can ever replace Paige, but at the very least, we can provide Christa comfort and flexibility to prioritize healing. These funds would be used however she deemed most appropriate.

Thank you for reading.