When It Rains, It Pours

As many of you know, my brother Kevin and I, and our Dad just suffered one of the greatest heartbreaks of our lives. Our precious Mom, and My Dad's wife of 56 years went home to be with the Lord on Friday, October 3rd, at 10:22 a.m. She passed peacefully at home, with my Dad, my brother, and me by her side.

Watching my Mom take her last breath was the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do… but we take comfort in knowing she didn’t pass away alone. She left this world surrounded by love — in her home, with her family by her side. That’s all she ever wanted.

I made a promise long ago that I would never put my parents in a nursing home. It’s something that’s deeply personal to me. (No judgment at all toward anyone who has had to — I understand completely, as both of my grandparents were in one.) But it was important to me that my Mom could stay home and be cared for with love and dignity — and I’m so grateful I was able to keep that promise.

Unfortunately, right now it feels like every time we take one step forward, something else knocks us back down.

1️⃣ After Mom passed, Dad received her Social Security payment in October, which was actually for the month of September. The Social Security website showed everything was correct, so he used it to catch up on bills he owed. But then, without warning, they withdrew it back out of his account — leaving him over $1,000 overdrawn.

2️⃣ To make things even harder, I was supposed to have surgery awhile ago, but I put it off because Mom’s health was declining. I wanted to spend every possible moment with her — not recovering and unable to help. I don’t regret it for a second… but after my scans on Friday, I was told things have gotten worse, and the surgery is now more complicated, urgent, and expensive.

It just feels like everything is happening all at once — the grief, the bills, the medical struggles, and now the financial strain on top of it all.

We aren’t asking for donations in the traditional sense — Mom’s life insurance checks have been mailed, and we’re simply waiting for them to arrive and clear. If anyone is able to help us temporarily until then, we promise to repay you as soon as possible.

If you can’t help financially, please keep us in your prayers and share this post. Every prayer, every kind word, and every bit of support truly helps lift us up through this heartbreak.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for your love, compassion, and continued prayers for our family.

With love and gratitude,

Alan, Kristy, & Kevin Long