I woke up this morning to a call from the hospital saying my grandmother had
passed away. I’m still at a loss for words. Anyone who knows me knows how much family means to me.  My grandma raised me until I was eleven. She always worked so hard to get the family all together. She wanted us to be one big family and always be there for each other. 

After my sister and I were placed in foster care, we weren’t able to see or talk to our family as much. Our grandma and father had lost their home and were living on the streets so keeping in contact with them was difficult. Even so we always did our best to see them, even if it meant searching different gas station parking lots in Orange County just to find them. While homeless my grandma began to lose the use of her legs. She also suffered from multiple health issues while living on the streets. 

This eventually led to her hospitalization. We went to visit her as much as possible, but when covid hit we were no longer able to. I called her often to remind her she wasn’t alone and that I loved her. She kept telling me she missed me. A few days ago she tested positive for covid. She told me she was scared to be alone in the hospital. I wish I could have hugged her one last time. I wish she knew that anytime her favorite song comes on that I think of her. I wish she knew that she wasn’t alone. I love her so much. 

If anyone can help in any way possible, please do. I know times are hard for everyone. Even if you can’t donate, please share this so that someone who can will see it. Since aging out of foster care I’ve lived on my own and supported myself and unfortunately I just don’t have enough to give her the funeral she deserves. My father was just released from prison and I’m responsible for supporting him as well. My grandmothers only other surviving son is currently homeless and can’t contribute. Any help at all means so much. I’m sorry to have to ask for help on Christmas. I just don’t know what to do. Losing her a second time hurts so much. I love you grandma, you’ll always be my sunshine on a cloudy day.