Early this morning, my mom’s life took an unexpected turn. She hit a deer on the road, and in an instant, her faithful old Saturn Vue was completely totaled. Thankfully, she is okay—and for that we are endlessly grateful—but now she is left without a vehicle. For most people, this would simply be an inconvenience. For my mom, it means something far more devastating: she cannot get to her birth clients.

For over 40 years, my mom—affectionately known by so many as “Mama”—has dedicated her life to delivering babies. She has helped bring countless little lives into this world, often in the middle of the night, often in the harshest weather, and always with gentleness, patience, and love. She has never asked for much in return. Many times, she has bartered her services or offered them freely, because she believes that every mother deserves support, no matter her financial situation. This has been her calling, her labor of love, and her gift to the world.

But to continue doing what she does best—serving mothers and families—she needs a reliable vehicle. Her work takes her down long, impassable Amish driveways, through heavy snow drifts in the winter, and across countless miles of country roads. Her car is more than just a car. It’s her mobile birth unit, carrying supplies for prenatal visits, birth deliveries, and even emergency situations. It’s also the vehicle she uses to pick up and support clients who may not otherwise have a way to reach her.

My mom lives a truly minimalist life. She buys only what she needs and goes without when things cost more than her modest income allows. She has never carried the burden of a monthly car payment because she simply cannot afford one. Instead, she has always trusted in the community, in the kindness of others, and in the belief that her work matters.

And her work does matter. Over the years, countless families have trusted her with their most sacred moments. Many return to her again and again with each new child, not because they can afford to, but because they know that she will give them the care, compassion, and safety they deserve.

Outside of her work, my mom is the heart of our family. She loves her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids with a devotion that never falters. Though we are scattered across the country, she is the one who makes the long journeys to see us, crisscrossing from the northern states to the Midwest, down south, and out west. Her car has always been the bridge that connects her to her family, her clients, and the many people whose lives she has touched.

Now, without a vehicle, she is unable to reach her clients or us. She is stuck—and for someone whose life has always been about showing up for others, that is heartbreaking.

I am reaching out today, not just as her child, but as someone who has witnessed firsthand the endless love, sacrifice, and dedication my mom has poured into her work and her family. I am asking friends, family, former clients, and even kind-hearted strangers to consider helping Mama get a “new-to-her” SUV. With your help, she can continue to do what she was meant to do: bring new life safely into the world, love the families she serves, and keep showing up for those who need her most.

No gift is too small. Every single dollar will bring her one step closer to being back on the road, back to her families, and back to the work she loves. Together, we can make sure Mama’s story doesn’t end here, stranded without a car—but continues on, filled with the laughter of families, the cries of newborn babies, and the love of a woman who has given her whole heart to others.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, for sharing, and for giving. ❤️