Hello, my name is Taylor, and I have a WONDERFUL father named Joseph.

I intend this GoFundMe to go out to family & friends, so an explanation of my father might not be necessary.

Though, if you come across this by chance or a share, I want to explain what kind of man my father is.

It's a simple enough story to tell, though it might not be believable. People like my father are so rare, most of us aren't blessed to know one in our lifetime. You'll just have to trust me, though. And I know the family & friends reading along will vouch for me.

I'll start with the story of WHAT brought us here, asking for help, and then explain WHY we need your help & HOW your funds would be used. I'd like to highlight three single words to describe my dad while telling you this story, so you know WHO your money is helping. Thank you for reading...

My father is currently in the ICU. He was admitted early Saturday morning, December 6th. He had severe internal bleeding and had lost a ridiculous amount of blood. On top of that, he was suffering a massive heart attack. To trim the word count, I will sum this part up by saying: I spent the early morning hours of December 6th calling family and preparing them for the very likely scenario of my father's passing.

Now, onto my first adjective to label my dad, a ***FIGHTER.***

I was told the procedure they intended to do to save him might very well claim him instead. I was told that, best case scenario, they would perform the procedure to stop the bleeding, then he would still be under a medically induced coma for a few days or more, to allow his heart to heal.

He survived the procedure, and the bleeding was stopped. He was stable enough to allow me a quick shower & a nap before coming back up, so I thought, to sit next to him while machines helped him breathe.

I woke from my nap to a message from my aunt, his younger sister, saying he was awake!

You're probably thinking, "Wow! Close call. He definitely won't get that lucky twice."

But surprisingly, this IS twice.

My father is a diabetic. My father has suffered multiple heart attacks. My father was diagnosed with stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver in 2021. Given six months to two years to live. The internal bleeding is also not a first, brought on by the cirrhosis. He is not a healthy man, but again, he is a strong man. A ***FIGHTER!*** To his core.

Onto WHY we are asking for help. Again, bear with me for a story. And the magic word for this story... My father is a ***HARDWORKER.***

My father is an over-the-road truck driver and has been since I was very young. He's gone for weeks or sometimes even months at a time. Driving for 10 hours a day, resting for a few, and repeat. He's always worked without complaints, pouring himself into companies that have never poured into him in return.

Since my dad's diagnosis in 2021, he has been let go time & time again due to his illness. Each time, I've watched my dad, defeated & tired... pick up & start again. Despite his family's pleas to draw disability, his pension, and officially retire. He wouldn't hear a word of it. So afraid that retirement would kill him faster. "I can't sit still, Taylor. I've gotta save up for a car & place of my own."

My dad's career path made a "normal life" hard to achieve. After I moved out on my own, he was content to live out of his semi. When he was in town, family would pick him up & lend him a spare room.

One of the main reasons he would not allow himself to retire was simply because he didn't want to ask for help to start over again. He's always done the work himself. He's always provided for himself & others, not others providing for him.

My dad is a ***HARDWORKER!*** (And sometimes a little too prideful. )

I'd like to end with HOW you can help.

If you're reading this, and you have had the privilege to meet my dad, you probably have a story. A story that begins or ends something like, "Yeah, Joe really helped me out when I was in need of it." Whatever "it" was. A bill paid, a ride to an appointment, a shoulder to lean on, a laugh when you've forgotten how, a bed to sleep in. If you've been out to eat with my dad, I guarantee he paid for your meal. He'd wrestle you to the ground before he'd let you touch that bill. If my dad has ever had two of anything, he's giving the second one away the first moment he gets. Again, he'll wrestle ya if you try to pay him for it.

My dad... is so, so, so... extremely & without hesitation... ***SELFLESS!***

When my ex-husband left, my dad simply took on all my bills. No questions asked, wouldn't hear of me paying him back. Just sent me the money each month, and then some. "Order a pizza for you & the kids."

Before the divorce, my ex-husband broke his leg & couldn't work. Guess who helped us keep our roof & electricity?

In 2019, my dad bought a brand new car. Handed me the keys. "I'm not home enough, it's bad to leave a car parked for that long." Never asked for it back, just paid the bill each month.

And yes, I'm his daughter, but I promise you many & more have similar stories about my dad.

One of the last times my dad lost his job, he couldn't bring all his belongings home from out of state. He had just bought a brand new TV & microwave for the truck. He just gave it all to his Uber driver. "She drove me back & forth quite a few times and was so patient with me." What an awesome tip, I guess!

I could go on & on... ***SELFLESS.*** Without expectation of anything in return. Always.

And now my father needs my help, needs your help. Unfortunately, I don't have the means to help him completely. To pay him back for ALL that he's done for his grandchildren & me. For the strangers he's helped. For everyone he's blessed. But I have my voice & my stories, and I hope that's enough.

He DOES have a pension to draw & he WILL be approved for disability. But if you know anything about these processes, you know they are not instant. Right now, he doesn't have a vehicle to get him home from the hospital, or a home to go to for that matter.

Of course, he has a world of support. His family is ready to assist him, however he needs. But one thing my dad has always WANTED is a place of his own & a reliable vehicle to keep him close to family.

I am kindly asking for funds to purchase a vehicle for my father, and a minimal budget to get him settled into a small apartment of his own, with basic furniture to jumpstart his home.

We're so incredibly blessed to have another chance, another day, another Christmas with my father. I just want to make the rest of his days comfortable & prove to him that when you put good out, you get good back.