Today, we lost my mom.

After years of fighting through diabetes, leading to liver disease and kidney failure, along with all the health issues that came with it, she gave everything she had until the very end. If you knew her, you know she didn’t quit. For 22 hours straight, after doctors were barely able to bring her out of a hepatic coma in an extremely weak and fragile state, she told every single person that came to see her at the hospital—and everyone she had us call—that she loved them. For 22 hours straight, she expressed how blessed she was, and for 22 hours straight, she repeated to each and every one of us by name that she loved us and she loved her family. She fought through it all with strength, faith, and love for her family.

She was more than just a mom—she was Mimi. A proud grandmother, a good Christian woman, and someone who loved deeply and completely. She had her joys too—she loved Steve Perry and Journey, probably more than anyone I’ve ever met (just go see for yourself on Facebook)

, the Carpenters, and more than anything, she loved just picking up and going to Galveston with my dad, “Pops.” Those little things meant so much to her, and they’re the things we’ll always hold onto.

Right now, we’re trying to take care of my dad after 48 years of marriage (March 10, 1978). Losing your partner after that long, after fighting such a long and financially draining battle, is something you can’t prepare for, and the last thing he should be worrying about is the financial burden of funeral expenses.

The total cost for her services is around $15,000, and while we don’t expect anyone to carry that burden, any support at all would truly help ease the weight on our family during this time.

We’re asking for help to cover those final costs so he can focus on grieving and honoring her instead of stressing about money.

Anything helps, and if you can’t donate, sharing this means just as much.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for helping us honor my mom the way she deserves.