VanderKarr Angel Fund
Lynda Kay Graton Deleissegues VanderKarr
Let me start by saying that I hope I never am tasked with being half the woman my Mother has been, Sometimes I wonder if she's real. Collective groups of people are unable to match her generous giving of time, love, and support (and we are many!) despite our best efforts.
She has overcome every obstacle in her life with a cheerful disposition, a charming sense of humor and a positive attitude. I wish we could all be like her.....the world would be a better place.
Our family has done what we can to help but we all face our own challenges, and sometimes life is just unfair.
I wish I could pay the mortgage, medical bills, groceries, fix everything that is wrong and bring a little Peace of Mind all in one fell swoop.
Instead, there is GoFundMe...Please help.
Background:
Lynda was raised in a loving but often transient family, moving many times throughout her childhood. She chose to stay at a relative's house rather than move again in her Senior year of High School so that she could graduate. Soon after, she completed Beauty School, was married and started a family.
When I was 4 yrs. old, and my sister just 6 months old, my Mother was widowed. A fatal motorcycle accident left her nearly destitute and alone to raise 2 young girls. Shortly thereafter, she married a man with 4 half-grown children...which she loved and cared for as her own. Together, they created a final addition and then we were Seven (7).
Our country house was always busy and chaotic (and frequently messy) with friends over, activities and projects, winter preparation wood-cutting, auto repair, motorcycles, , pets (cats, dogs, horses, pigs, birds, hamsters, rabbits) building a barn and fencing pasture, installing a swimming pool. diverse interests in football, volleyball, 4-H, drama, band, gardening..... you name it we did it. Money was tight, but somehow managed to find just enough to give us the opportunity to flourish and learn.
When times were rough for childhood friends, there was a place to stay for as long as they needed. Always. In one case, until graduation from High School.
Fast forward 30+ years:
The lucrative Lynda's Hair Emporium shop in our struggling, tourist-reliant town has been besieged by road closures, economic depressions and dwindling population.
Her husband, a retired National Park Service employee with Yosemite National Park for over 30 years, has been battling several health issues including skin cancer, heart disease, diabetes, kidney failure, alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Recently, she has broken her Left Ring Finger and is currently recovering from surgery. Her Wedding Ring had to be cut off due to swelling and that hurt her more than anything.
Her husband, the man that raised me, is confused, volatile, and in ill-health.
The Homestead has been in preparation For Sale after nearly 35 years of memories, sweat and tears; due to mounting and increasingly overwhelming hardship, she can no longer manage the property.
Family, friends, church members and community have all come together in this time of hardship but we are defeated in our ability to help with financial burdens. Unable to work, there is very little income and very many expenses.
