I lost my Mother out of nowhere on February 9th. Two hours after her 69th Birthday. Hopefully my Grandmother came to get her so they could be together again.

My Mom was sadly schizophrenic and her disease was getting worse as she aged. She lived in a hospital for the last few years where she had to be taken care of and mostly would want to lay in bed. She loved coming out on day passes to go to her Moms and hang out with us. She lived for her family. Especially me and my sister. She could not help what she was going through, but was always such a sweet person with a smile that could light up a room.

When her Mother died it was so hard on her that she for the most part stopped eating food and mainly just wanted to sleep. She lost so much weight in such a short time. She got down to unhealthy levels to where they were strongly considering putting her on hospice care and feeding her through a tube. I really wasn’t ready to lose my Mom on top of just losing my Grandma so I started going there regularly and helping her to eat, even feeding her. Sometimes she would listen to me, others not. Sometimes not even her boy being there could get her out of her mindset when the disease was in control. She was always happy to see me and get my hugs. My sister too when she could come to town and visit with me. She loved us so very much and would always tell us how proud she was of her kids. I thought she was going to get better enough to be healthy enough to start going out on day passes again.

That didn’t happen though. She ended up dying. I will never get to hear “Hi Jer!” And see her face light up and her beautiful smile as I walk up to give her a hug again. In a years time, I have lost my dog, my Grandma, and now my Mom. The 3 most important beings in my life.

Due to overwhelming grief and her sudden passing, I was unable to go to work for that whole week and did not receive any pay, or sick pay. It doesn’t work like that in my union. You don’t work, you don’t get paid. My sister and I had to pay to get our Mom cremated and now I need some financial help so I can plan her funeral service, and also catch up on some bills I am unable to pay at this time.

I do not like asking for help with money, but that is where I’m at right now.

Any little bit helps. I know times are tough.

Thank you.

Jeremy Valkoun