My family has endured quite a few tragedies in the last few years beginning with the unexpected death of my beloved mother in December 2020 and followed soon after by the death of my sister in August 2021. Those deaths brought me and my 7 remaining siblings closer together, especially when my older brother Eric moved back to Fort Wayne from Missouri to be closer to all of us. His house, which he dubbed “Green Acres” became our gathering place. He hosted multiple family gatherings, opened his home to those of us struggling and became the leader of our family; emotionally and physically. Unfortunately, just this past April, Eric was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of Esophageal and Prostate Cancer. He immediately underwent 7 weeks of intensive, non-stop chemotherapy/radiation treatment but succumbed to the disease just 3 months after his diagnosis, on July 13, 2025.

The last several months have taken an emotional toll on all of us. I spent as much time visiting with Eric in his hospital bed or home as I could, and wouldn’t trade that time for anything, except perhaps getting my brother back healthy and strong. Even though I know Eric is now in a better place, rejoicing with mama, it’s hard. Hind sight is always eye-opening, and I now realize I mistakenly allowed some of my responsibilities to slip through the cracks while I prioritized spending time with my brother, and praying without ceasing. As a result, I allowed my car insurance to expire and never even gave it a thought.

On Tuesday, July 22, we buried Eric, with full military honors at the Marion National Cemetery. To say the last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster would be an understatement; however, I did not fully realize how much stress I was apparently under. On Wednesday night, just the day after burying my brother, I was in a very serious car accident. Miraculously, God was clearly watching over me, because despite going off the road at 70 mph, and flipping my vehicle (I have no recollection of what happened), being unconscious and rushed via ambulance to the hospital, I was fortunate enough to walk away with relatively minor injuries.

Those who know me well, know I do NOT ask for help. I told my mamma years ago, when she asked why I never asked her for help when I was struggling, that “I’m a man, and should be able to take care of myself.” However, the miracle of my recent car crash has also reminded me that the Bible calls us to bear one another’s burdens. Acts 20:35 states “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. I believe God is reminding me that it is okay to ask for help because scriptures have been coming to my mind like 1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mightly hand of God, so that at the proper time, He may exalt you.” Also, James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

So, against every fiber of my being, I am humbling myself and asking those who are able to help me because I am in desperate financial need right now. Through my own lack of attention to detail, my auto insurance expired, and while God spared my life, my car is totaled. I still owe over $18,000 on a vehicle that can no longer be driven, plus I need to find a way to purchase a replacement car to get me around and to work. I was supposed to be starting a new job today, and while my injuries are minor compared to what they could have been, they are preventing me from being able to work for the foreseeable future. The recent loss of my brother Eric has left me emotionally bankrupt. I am extremely mad at myself, and honestly cannot see a way out of the mess I have created but through God’s nudging I am finally willing to ask for help. Can you help me?