My mom, Becky, is the absolute kindest, most generous, and STRONGEST woman many have ever known. As a single mom of four children with absolutely no help or child support, I watched her survive cancer, blood clots, and numerous tumors. She never had her own personal life or relationship until 12 years ago.

In 1998, she experienced the unthinkable tragedy of losing her youngest child who was 11 years old. In addition to seeing him crushed by the car of a drunk driver, she was also severely injured. Despite this traumatic experience, she ultimately pulled herself together and continued working to take care of her remaining 3 children. A few years later, she suffered a series of strokes leaving her permanently disabled.

In 2010, I introduced my mom to my neighbor, Don, after he commented that it'd be nice to have someone to have dinner with. He took her to dinner for her birthday and they started dating. They lived together for 12 years, purchased a vehicle together, got a cat, vacationed together, and he was our family. They had a happy life, but for personal reasons, Don decided he didn't want to be re-married.

On May 2nd, Don had a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital. Becky stayed at the hospital with him 24/7. A week later, on May 9th, Don had a quadruple bypass surgery. He made it through the surgery and was able to stand up the very next day. Becky spent the entire day with him. In the evening on May 10th, in the middle of a conversation, he suddenly coded. Becky watched as medical staff did CPR and opened his chest at his bedside. After working on him for nearly an hour, Don was pronounced dead just moments before I arrived at the hospital. Since his death, we have realized that Don did not have a will, did not have any life insurance, and simply never named Mom as the beneficiary for anything. He left $1,400 in a bank account that Becky has access to. This is not even enough to cover his end of life services.

With her very limited income, Becky will no longer be able to live on her own, pay their joint car payment or pay any of the other financial commitments they agreed to pay together. Even the very mattress she sleeps on comes with a $300/month payment.

I know life isn't fair and life is hard, but this is more than anyone deserves to lose. The trauma of watching two of the people you love the most die in horrific ways is too much to withstand. Of course, there are many people who love Becky and have offered her a room in their homes, but Becky deserves better. She deserves to have a vehicle to get around and a mattress to sleep on. She deserves better than just "getting through". She deserves to enjoy time with her seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter. She deserves a home.