Austin's campaign for Nova and The Trevor Project
Tax deductible
Last week I went to a stranger's funeral.
If that sounds strange and unusual, it's because it is. And definitely far from what I planned on doing that week. But that was before I learned about Nova.
This all started late last Sunday night. I'm about half an hour away from closing up when a woman came in asking for help with a project. She said they were funeral cards for a very dear friend whose child had committed suicide. Right away, my heart instantly broke for this family's loss, and I quietly agreed to help with whatever they needed. But what I didn't anticipate was that the story was about to take another heart-wrenching turn.
They were transgender.
I think it was at that point that the both of us became inconsolable. Since working for Fedex, I've had the unfortunate task of creating and printing materials for wakes and funerals before; but this one was by and far the most devastating. So I started asking the mother's friend (Debra) more about them. Their name was Gavin Mcgarry, but their preferred name was Nova. She said that Nova was quiet but kind, trying their best to navigate their identity and find their place in the world. But the demons they were grappling with, and the pain they were carrying were simply too much.
When the tears finally stopped pouring out, I promised Debra I'd do whatever I could and whatever they needed. And I asked the dates and times of the services, because I was going.
So I went to a stranger's wake and funeral. I shook hands with strangers, I hugged strangers, and I cried with people I literally just met seconds earlier. I wept with Nova's friends, Nova's family, Nova's parents Tom and Kim. And Nova's older brother Liam.
And I wept, and I wept, and I wept. And not just for Nova and their tragic passing; I wept for the countless disenfranchised souls who struggle every day to feel accepted and loved. Or the people in my own life who still struggle to make their voices heard.
If my word means anything to anyone, please always know that your voice is heard, your struggle is recognized, and you are so very loved. And even though I never met Nova, I would like to think that a message of love, tolerance and acceptance would be the best legacy they could ever leave behind.
So to all my friends and family, please donate to this GoFundMe I started for the Trevor Project. If I've done one decent thing my entire life, please let it be this. I've always believed that even in the worst of times, the best of humanity can always come forth. And I hope to show Nova's family
Thank you all so much. I love you all. And I hope you're resting easy Nova.
More information about The Trevor Project: The mission of The Trevor Project is to end suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.
If that sounds strange and unusual, it's because it is. And definitely far from what I planned on doing that week. But that was before I learned about Nova.
This all started late last Sunday night. I'm about half an hour away from closing up when a woman came in asking for help with a project. She said they were funeral cards for a very dear friend whose child had committed suicide. Right away, my heart instantly broke for this family's loss, and I quietly agreed to help with whatever they needed. But what I didn't anticipate was that the story was about to take another heart-wrenching turn.
They were transgender.
I think it was at that point that the both of us became inconsolable. Since working for Fedex, I've had the unfortunate task of creating and printing materials for wakes and funerals before; but this one was by and far the most devastating. So I started asking the mother's friend (Debra) more about them. Their name was Gavin Mcgarry, but their preferred name was Nova. She said that Nova was quiet but kind, trying their best to navigate their identity and find their place in the world. But the demons they were grappling with, and the pain they were carrying were simply too much.
When the tears finally stopped pouring out, I promised Debra I'd do whatever I could and whatever they needed. And I asked the dates and times of the services, because I was going.
So I went to a stranger's wake and funeral. I shook hands with strangers, I hugged strangers, and I cried with people I literally just met seconds earlier. I wept with Nova's friends, Nova's family, Nova's parents Tom and Kim. And Nova's older brother Liam.
And I wept, and I wept, and I wept. And not just for Nova and their tragic passing; I wept for the countless disenfranchised souls who struggle every day to feel accepted and loved. Or the people in my own life who still struggle to make their voices heard.
If my word means anything to anyone, please always know that your voice is heard, your struggle is recognized, and you are so very loved. And even though I never met Nova, I would like to think that a message of love, tolerance and acceptance would be the best legacy they could ever leave behind.
So to all my friends and family, please donate to this GoFundMe I started for the Trevor Project. If I've done one decent thing my entire life, please let it be this. I've always believed that even in the worst of times, the best of humanity can always come forth. And I hope to show Nova's family
Thank you all so much. I love you all. And I hope you're resting easy Nova.
More information about The Trevor Project: The mission of The Trevor Project is to end suicide among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people.
Organizer
Austin Munroe
Organizer
West Nyack, NY
The Trevor Project
Beneficiary