My mom Benigna was the best mom I could have hoped for. She taught me the value and importance of self-giving, and some of my best memories are working together at a food bank. Her compassion inspired me to work in the nonprofit world, following in her footsteps to help others.

After my father passed away suddenly in 2008, my mom took on the sole responsibility of caring for us three kids and her own mother. When my mom became ill with several diseases, that responsibility fell to me and my brother. It was a privilege to care for her, and through it all, she and my grandmother taught me the importance of caregiving, patience, and understanding. Sadly, as the years went on, my mom's illness worsened. In February and June of last year, she lost her mother and sister, which took a heavy toll on her heart and spirit. Despite these losses, she remained cheerful and even a little feisty, always bringing light to our family.

Doctors told us she had at most three years to live, but we were blessed to have her for five more years beyond that. We are grateful for every moment. Unfortunately, after a recent hospital stay, her health declined rapidly, and we knew the end was near. Now, we are facing the costs of her funeral and the expense of transporting her to her native land in Mexico to be buried with my father. The financial burden is heavy, and we are asking our community for help. If anyone can donate, that would be ideal, but if you can't, we ask that you share and post on social media to help spread the word. Every bit of support, whether a donation or a share, means so much to us.