My name is Kimberly, and I’m writing this with a heart that has been stretched, shaken, and somehow still full of hope.
Just days ago, our world stopped. My mom, Lynn Benne, was suddenly and critically ill with Legionella pneumonia. In the middle of the night, she was life-flighted to the hospital, and at 3:30 a.m., we sat together in a quiet, sterile room as doctors gently told us the words no family is ever ready to hear — that she was incredibly sick, and we needed to prepare for the worst.
Time felt frozen in that moment. Every second was heavy. Every breath felt uncertain. We looked at each other, trying to make sense of something that didn’t feel real. Because how could this be the end for her? Not for our mom. Not for Lynn.
She is only 50 years old — the strongest, most resilient woman we know. The kind of woman who doesn’t just face life’s storms… she stands in them, steady and unshaken. We held onto that strength, even as fear crept in.
If you know Lynn, you know exactly what I mean when I say she is stubborn in the best way. The kind of stubborn that refuses to give up, that pushes through pain, that keeps going even when everything says to stop. But beyond that strength is a heart so big, so selfless, it’s almost impossible to describe.
My mom is the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back without hesitation. She shows up — for everyone. She serves her community as a volunteer on the rescue squad as an EMR, answering calls when others need help the most. She donates, she supports, she lifts people up quietly and consistently, never asking for anything in return. Helping others isn’t just something she does — it’s who she is.
Right now, she is the one who needs help.
After being sedated and on a ventilator for two long weeks, her body has become very weak. The road ahead will not be easy. She will need extensive rehabilitation, patience, and time to regain her strength — the same strength she has given so freely to others her entire life.
Through all of this, my stepdad Roger has not left her side. He has been her rock, her voice, her constant presence in a time filled with uncertainty. Because of this, he has not been able to return to work, as being with her is where he is needed most.
We are doing everything we can, but the reality is overwhelming. As the medical bills begin to arrive, we find ourselves at a loss, unsure where to even begin.
So today, I’m asking — from the deepest place in my heart — if Lynn has ever touched your life in any way, big or small… if she has helped you, supported you, shown you kindness… this is a chance to give a little of that love back to her. Because we all know, if the roles were reversed, she would be the first one there — and she would probably tell you “no” if you tried to help her.
But right now, she needs us.
She is not just my mom. She is a beautiful grandma to 10 grandchildren who adore her, a loving mother to three daughters, and an incredible wife and last but not least a daughter and a sister. She is the heart of our family — and we are not ready to imagine this world without her strength, her laughter, and her love.
Anything you can give — whether it’s a donation, a share, or simply keeping her in your thoughts and prayers — means more than words could ever express.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for helping us hold onto hope as she continues to fight.
With love,
Kimberly