Help Laela pay expenses after husband's passing.

Hi, this is Kristen, one of Laela's long-time friends. Laela's husband Nolan, whom she married just this July, has passed away unexpectedly. I am starting this fundraiser to help her pay for his post-death and memorial costs. Nolan's passing was a sudden and unexpected event, as I am sure it always is. Anything you could do to help her is appreciated. To tell you more, I am posting a heartfelt note from Juanita, another of Laela's dear friends:

Hello friends,

I’m sure many of you remember the wedding that Robert and I attended on July 15th. One of my very best friends in the world, Laela Ann, married her beloved Nolan Blair that evening. It was a very blessed event, and I’m so thankful I was there to witness in person their unbridled happiness and joy to be joined in Holy matrimony. Laela’s stepfather performed the ceremony and did such a beautiful job.

Anyone who knows me knows just how important Laela is to me. Sometimes I’m like her second mother. Sometimes I’m her big sister. Sometimes I’m her party pal! But, always and forever, I’m her dear friend! Our 28+ year friendship has blessed us both many times over. I love her more than these words can express.

Sadly, my girl lost her beloved husband on Wednesday morning. They were only married for four and a half months.

We are all crushed, devastated, shocked, and saddened beyond belief. Nolan was such a wonderful man. A kind, intelligent, loving man.

We often don’t understand God’s plan, His reasons, and His will. But, we “believe, " which lends us comfort and a semblance of peace during this grieving time. We also “believe” that we will all see Nolan again someday. Our belief sustains us. Our knowledge is that Nolan is no longer suffering from his health issues. He is free from his earthly pain. He is with God and has a host of angels surrounding him and rejoicing as we mourn him here on earth. We “believe” that Nolan is in Heaven. We “know” it! We may not understand it. We may question God’s wisdom. We all wish it wouldn’t have happened. We will all miss Nolan. He will never be forgotten. But we also all know he is in a better place.

Oh, but my heart breaks for my dear friend. It’s Laela who has to live with this tragedy on a moment-to-moment basis. We will all stand by her side. We’ll hold her hand. We’ll embrace her when she cries. We will be her buoy and her balm.

I ask those of you who pray to add my girl to your prayer list. Pray for her strength, her peace, her acceptance of God’s will, and for her comfort as she traverses this unknown path.

Nolan was only 51 years old. He went into cardiac arrest at a dialysis treatment center on Wednesday morning. They couldn’t bring him back. They tried for over an hour.

Please donate if able.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Laela will remember and appreciate you.