We tragically lost my 20 year old niece Arika Rylie Slagle on Saturday January 21, 2017. Nothing could prepare me for a phone call from my baby sister Chastity trying to make sense of her second born daughters sudden passing. I had a 6 hour drive before I could get home to pick up my nieces and try to fill the shoes of my sister for a few days while she was with her baby girl, Arika. My sister and I raised all of our babies together. We were by each others side for every big life event and often times were were at each others house on a daily basis. My 4 babies were her babies and her 4 babies were mine.    
Arika's passing was so sudden, so shocking, and could not have happened to a more amazingly beautiful person. Her voice was soft and sweet and angelic . She was joy, love, adventure and laughter all in one. On the day Arika went to be with Jesus our lives were altered forever. Everything inside of me wanted to hold my  sister and carry her through each day. Each day has been exhausting for my sister to just to sit and exist with her other 3 beautiful daughters.
  The moment I finally got to see my sister we hugged so tight. I picked up my 40 year old sister and cradled her in my arms (although it wasn't very graceful. I've always tried to take care of her, I had to hold her. We held hands that evening and looked into each others eyes with no words and we sobbed. I can look in her eyes and see inside her heart and feel the most raw pain coming from her soul. In that moment there was this OVERWHELMING feeling that came from the depths of   MY soul trying to lift this burden. I would do anything for her. This is why I decided to start a gofundme account. While I cannot physically carry her I want to give my sister the gift of time. She is a single mom of 3 more daughters. Her oldest daughter Alexis has taken some time off work too. I would like Chastity to be able to help meet some financial needs for her if necessary. She is learning to live without her sissy who was her very best friend in life. Chastity is still raising the younger two teens Madison and Olivia. She needs to be by their side. My sister lives her life for these girls. She works full time, waking at 3am to get ready for work and get the girls ready for school. She chose this schedule so she can be home after the girls get out of school each day. She can take time off of work for bereavement but that is unpaid and she couldn't afford more than a week maybe two. I would like to raise enough money to comfortably provide for her to take a minimum of 3 months off of work to be with her daughters as she helps them walk through life trying to live their best day and best life for Arika. We pray that God restores and mends their hearts and brings joy through their memories of Arika. Nothing can take away the pain and the emptiness in all of our hearts but time is absolutely invaluable. It's the best gift we can all give her. If you feel led to pour love into my sister and her daughters this is a tangible way to be able to show your love. As my friends have said, love looks like something.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, prayers, messages, phone calls, gifts, flowers, and food that so many are sending to our entire family. YOU are amazing. We feel loved. Thank you for helping me give my sister the gift of time during this excruciatingly painful time. Please continue to share this with others. 

We love you all,

Andrea Nelson