I'm Monique McIntyre. And that picture is of my Dad and me. That's my dad. He's gone now in the most unexpected way, and I'm the only child struggling to fulfill his wishes and plan his memorial. (I still can't believe this is happening to us and that so much has been placed squarely on me.) Your life can really change in an instant.

My dad, Tyrone Earl (he'd want me to call him that... he liked being known by his middle name (smile)), had one of the best, most memorable laughs ever put on this earth. He was my dad. He always will be. He was quite the personality and always the bold man in the room --- he could make others laugh and smile and had kind words for many. I miss him greatly and I wish I had been able to spend more time in person with him. (Isn't that always what we wish?) I thought I had more time. But this is what I do know? He loved me very much and told me that all the time.

I'm reaching out for support to help put my dad to rest and allow others to share fond memories so we can say goodbye to him gracefully. My dad was an Air Force veteran who followed in the footsteps of his dad (my grandfather), Herbert, who was a Tuskegee Airman. We have pilots in our family, but my dad was more of an engineer. He was good with taking things apart and putting them back together again better than before. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio most of his life but was most proud of the home he owned - that he shared with his family - in Washington, DC. He was an incredibly generous man with a core value of family. He loved his family deeply and he always wanted them to be connected. We made trips together to visit family that I didn't know but he wanted me to know them - even at 45. Parents are parents forever, yes?

Please support with whatever you can give. This unexpected expense is more, at this time, than I can bear as I was in the midst of a financial transition and this just is leaving me breathless. My dad would appreciate it. He would probably say how much it meant in the beautiful, soft way only he could. Later he'd tell you a funny story and laugh most of the way through it to connect with you, one heart to another. Thank you for considering me and my dad as I plan his home going, as the old folk would say. I hope all is well with each of you, and I'll update here with pictures of good times with him when he was laughing, smiling and joking around when I can.

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'm depending on you to help get me through this. My heart to yours. Be well.