Kellie's Turn...

I met Kellie in 1990 on a cramped elevator in our college dorm.

Our mutual friend, Melissa, was dying for us to meet, just POSITIVE that we'd become close friends if she could get us in the same place. So, she made it happen.

But we didn't hit it off at all...at first.

Little did I know that we'd become best friends despite a less than auspicious first interaction, but all these years later, she's still my best friend in the world - and needs help.

I've started this fundraiser because she and her family need help to save their home. I'm following her example; she's successfully done this very thing for a friend whose home was severely damaged by a hurricane, never thinking of doing the same for herself now that she's in need...but it's her turn.

Please continue reading below to know the full story. :)

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The full story:

I met Kellie in 1990 on a cramped elevator in our college dorm...

Our mutual friend, Melissa, was dying for us to meet, just POSITIVE that we'd become close friends if she could get us in the same place. So, she made it happen.

But we didn't hit it off at all: there was no When Harry Met Sally "5 extra floors" moment. One awkward elevator ride later, Kellie was extricating herself as quickly as possible from the situation. But, from sheer ingrained politeness, she invited me to stop over and chat again anytime.

Bad mistake. Or big blessing. Because, sometimes, second chances are exactly what's called for.

The second time we met (me taking her up on that invitation, to her surprise), we got along better. Much better. We became friends that second time. Kellie even offered me one of her coveted Sprecher root beers, a rare treasure to poor college students as we were.

From that day on, we talked, laughed, traded music, and shared our thoughts on the world. Long story short, Melissa was right: Kellie and I became best friends and have been for 32 years.

When I was between places, she let me stay with her.

When I was broke and jobless, she showed up with two armfuls of groceries and even more encouragement.

When she was sick, I stepped in, helping in every way I could --even cooking meals for her and finding supplements I thought would help her get stronger. Thirty-two years after that dorm meeting, we still share, support one another without hesitation, and are always there for one another, no matter the need or time of day/night. She’s a fantastic person, and I would do anything for her.

That’s why I am here today.

I hate asking others for help; she hates asking others for help. We love to make our way as best we can, but this need is significant enough that I HAVE to do this on her behalf.

My best friend and her family are in trouble; they are close to losing their home to foreclosure/auction. The last few years have hit them with crisis after crisis:

Her husband has been out of work for the last eight months after his company restructured and eliminated his job. He's been searching for a job in his field and has been told he was runner-up a couple of times, but he hasn’t found anything yet.

Kellie recently recovered from a three-year-long debilitating illness that nearly killed her multiple times. During this illness, her father suddenly passed and then one year after Kellie’s recovery, her mother entered end-of-life hospice care. Despite Covid, Kellie went to hospice to be with her Mom nearly every day for months, sometimes for 10 hours a day or more, because hospice staff couldn't stay and help her Mom drink every few minutes, but Kellie could, and she saw that her Mom needed it. As her Mom improved, Kellie made a point to bring in something every day: homemade food that her Mom liked, a mini tea party, a song fest, prayer, and many hugs --having been through severe illness herself, she knew that the mental, emotional and spiritual sides of healing were just as important as the physical side, so she tried her best to bring her Mom light, love and hope. Against all odds, her mother recovered enough to leave hospice. The family praises God for this ongoing miracle; her Mom continues to improve, and she and Kellie are closer than ever. :)

In addition, Kellie continued to homeschool her daughter, help at homeschool co-ops, and work on her career as a professional editor and fledgling writer – all the while struggling to recover during the end of a worldwide pandemic. She’s a selfless individual, always looking to help anyone in any way she can, often at the expense of her well-being.

They have tried to work with the bank, but the bank has refused. Their immediate families are small and unable to help. They’ve exhausted all their financial resources and are tearfully packing while mourning the loss of their home.

This home is where they welcomed their adopted daughter to their family.

This home is where she homeschooled her daughter from kindergarten to her current Junior year.

This home is where they held family gatherings and holidays.

They worked on scraping together money from any forgotten resource they had so they won’t be homeless this Christmas, but that tank is nearly emptied, and things look bleak.

They dreamed of selling this home once their daughter got ready for college and using the money to move to Texas – a place they’ve always dreamt of living. That dream is also in jeopardy as they will lose all the equity they’ve built up in the house. The bank’s refusal and the looming auction date force them to attempt to sell their home as quickly as possible so they don’t lose that equity - but that prospect also looks unlikely to succeed before the auction.

I’m only one soul, and I need your help to help them. Kellie helps everyone she meets without hesitation, never asking for a thing in return – it’s time she gets some help whether she asks for it or not.

I am starting this fundraiser to help them stave off the sale/foreclosure and to let them have a safe and grounded Thanksgiving and Christmas. Or if the unthinkable occurs and their home is sold out from under them…. give them a helping hand rebuilding wherever they end up. Thank you!