Stacey Needs Help After Paul's Unexpected Passing

My name is Michelle and I'm here to ask for help. My stepdad, Paul, passed away very suddenly and it’s left us all broken. Me and my mom were away on a trip to attend a wedding and visit family we hadn’t seen in a while. Paul had surgery recently and was staying home to recover, but there were several people he could call if he needed anything.

Unfortunately, while we were away, there was an emergency that no one could have predicted and on Monday, June 2nd, we received a call from his sister who found him, but it was too late. It took us 2 days to drive back home and, while I would prefer to not go into detail, what we found was way worse than any of us were expecting. It's a scene I don't think I'll ever be able to truly forget.

Paul was around for most of my life. When I was still young, my mom and Paul started dating. At the time, I thought he was taking her away and I hated him for it. I was a spoiled brat and yelled at him, but he still stuck around and eventually he was more than just my "mom’s boyfriend". We actually had a lot of random things in common even though we weren't related by blood. We used to go out for lunch and just hang out sometimes, even when my mom was busy. I remember how we used to butt heads about dumb stuff because both of us were so stubborn. He was more of a dad than my actual father ever was. I wish I got to tell him that and it's something I'll always regret. I hope he knew even if I couldn't say it.

But this isn't just about him, it's also about my mom, Stacey. She is kind, generous, and the one everyone goes to for help. If any of you were to be in an accident on the side of the road, she'd be the first one to jump out of her car and help. She’s dedicated her life to helping people and has saved lives as a nurse. She deserves the world and instead she's lost a big part of hers. Like us, she's also stubborn and doesn't like to ask for help even when she really needs it. So I'm asking for help on her behalf. I know that Paul would want not just her, but the both of us, taken care of if he couldn't do it himself.

Paul always did so much for us and was there through all the hard times, but now he's not and we're really struggling. Not just with the funeral costs, but more expenses that we never could have expected.

I appreciate all of you for reading this and considering helping my family.