Christmas took away the biggest gift in my life. My name is Edwin Rodriguez, I'm 23 years old, and I'm here to tell you a story many have unfortunately told before. During a time of festivity and happiness when we spend so much time and resources to find the perfect gift for our families and friends, all I have been met with is the loss of my dear Mother. My Mother was the glue to my family. She was the foundation that held us up with her gentle smile and callous knees from the constant prayer meant to keep the family in good health. That foundation has now been lost to time. Losing her is a deep sorrow I've never would have been able to understand until now, but this is not about my grief. This is about putting my pride and sorrow aside to ask for a helping hand. Neither time nor bills wait for anyone and our mourning is cut short by the expenses we must pay for the medical assistance and funeral services we are now left to handle on top of our usual burdens. Many in our situation, we do not have the same assistance or resources available to us Regardless, my family and I will continue doing our due diligence to get through these harsh times, but we would be eternally grateful for any help you can provide us with.

So, I ask of you who is reading this, please help anything would help us nd my family's shoulders Else, let this be another reminder to appreciate the people you cherish the most for we can never know the time when they might depart from our lives. Thank you, and God bless you.