Jim Bartholomew's cost of loving.

We are a very proud family who often doesn't ask for help. But, unfortunately, this is one time we need to. We have believed that Dad had life insurance for years, but we have not been able to find evidence of such. Dad has no savings, and we cannot afford to cover any upcoming costs, so this is why we are asking for help. Dad has been a pianist for a few churches and never asked for a dime; some paid him because they could, and others didn't, but he never once asked for pay. Dad has played for weddings and funerals for so many people and took whatever they could offer but never set a cost. He loves to help whenever he can and has given everything of himself to help however he can. Dad is the last person to ever ask anyone to help him when he is down and out, so he won't now either. We are asking for him for this reason.

What's going on?

Dad has now had a stroke which has killed part of his brain, the part that affects memory. He is struggling to remember most everything, including names, dates, and events. He also, doesn't know whether it is day or night, what day or year it is and sometimes doesn't even remember that people exist. THe saddest thing about his memory is that he cannot remember how to play piano, this breaks his heart. Playing piano has been his passion and love for over 60 years and for that to be gone is devistating. He feels like it is a part of himself that is probably gone forever.

On top of his stroke, he has found out that his kidneys are failing and he has a block in one of his arteries which is messing up his body even more.

We are asking for money to help cover the costs for travel to and from doctor's visits as well as for his final expenses. We know it is a lot of money but the funeral alone will be well over $10,000 and we would also like to try to pay off some of his debt if it is possible, including his car. We are not trying to get any money for ourselves and would like to give back anything left over to another person in need.

If you know and love our Dad, or he has touched your life in any way, please give what you can to help.