On what should have been a normal afternoon, my family's life was changed forever by a devastating tragedy that I am still struggling to put into words. My 73-year-old mother, Marilyn Patterson, was taking my daughter, Rylee, to get lunch when a horrific accident occurred. As they were exiting their vehicle, a car suddenly struck them, overturning my mother's vehicle and causing catastrophic injuries. In a matter of seconds, everything I knew and depended on was ripped away.

My mother fought as hard as she possibly could, but her injuries were too severe. My sweet beautiful mother passed away, leaving behind a family who loved her beyond words and a granddaughter who adored her. She was 73 years old, but age never stopped her from being there whenever someone needed her. She was the kind of woman who would give her last dollar to help someone else, put everyone else's needs before her own, and show up without being asked. She was not only my mother; she was my best friend, my confidant, my source of strength, and one of the only people I could always count on no matter what life threw at me. I didnt even get to tell her goodbye one more time or hear her voice. I am completely consumed with grief and I have no idea what my life is going to look like without her in it to guide me. Theres never going to be a day that goes by that I dont think of her and long to have her with me. She was my whole world. The loss of my mom has left a hole in my heart that will never be filled. Every moment since this happened has felt unreal. I keep expecting to hear her voice, see her walk through the door, or answer the phone when I call. Instead, I am faced with the unimaginable reality that she is gone. She is not coming back and ill never get to see her beautiful face again. There are no words to describe the pain of losing a parent so suddenly and so tragically.

As if losing my mother wasn't heartbreaking enough, my daughter Rylee was also seriously injured in the accident. She suffered a broken leg and other injuries and is now facing a difficult physical and emotional recovery. As her mother, watching her suffer while also preparing her to grieve the loss of her grandmother has been one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. She loved her grandma deeply, and trying to explain a loss this devastating to a child while managing my own grief feels impossible. She still has no idea that her Grammy will not be coming home with us, but right now I just want to preserve her innocence as long as possible and keep her focused on herself during her time in nationwide children's hospital.

I am now faced with funeral expenses, memorial costs, medical expenses, missed work, household bills, and the overwhelming financial burden that follows a tragedy no family ever expects to face. I never imagined I would be asking others for help, but the truth is that I cannot do this alone. My mother was my support system, and without her, I feel completely lost and overwhelmed. Right now, my focus needs to be on laying my mother to rest with the dignity she deserves and helping my daughter heal physically and emotionally from this traumatic event while also making sure that bills at home do not fall behind. This is probably my biggest area in which I need the most help and support. I know times are hard for everyone right now with finances and im so sorry to even ask for this kind of favor. Anyone who knows me truly, knows that im not one to receive any kind of money from someone else. I am just like my mom in that area of my personality, she always told me that god will take care of everything we need and to trust in him to provide, but right now my faith is very compromised and im swallowing my pride and asking for any kind of help that is possible.

My mother deserved so much more time. She deserved more laughter, more memories, and more moments with the people who loved her. She deserved to watch her granddaughter grow up. She was 73 and she worked a full time fast food job while also coming home from a 10 hour shift everyday and helping take care of Rylee. She was overall healthy and her body was strong despite everything she did on a daily basis. She should be here right now. Instead, our family is left trying to navigate an unbearable loss while picking up the pieces of our shattered lives.

Any donation, no matter how small, will help ease the financial burden during

this incredibly difficult time. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser and keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers would mean more than you know.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read our story. Thank you for your compassion, your support, and your kindness. We will never be able to express how much it means to us during the darkest chapter of our lives. Please help us honor the life of Marilyn Patterson and support Rylee as she begins the long journey toward healing.