My daughter Brittany Allen was a beautiful and talented makeup artist who brought so much joy and laughter to our family. She was quick-witted, loving, and devoted to her children, Cohen and Ella. Losing Brittany unexpectedly has been a heartbreaking experience, and every day I miss her deeply. Her children, Cohen (9) and Ella (8), are now in my care. They have so much of their mother’s spunk and personality, and I am grateful to be able to raise them, even as we navigate the challenges of this new reality. We have mostly good days, but some days are especially hard for the kids as they adjust to life without their mom.

Since Brittany’s passing, I’ve had to make difficult choices to keep our family together. I left one of my jobs to care for Cohen and Ella, and I now work full time to support us. I plan to go back to school next fall to earn my LPN degree so I can provide more for them in the future. The financial strain has been overwhelming, and I am struggling to keep up with basic needs like food and housing. Our home is at risk, and I want to make sure Cohen and Ella have a safe and stable place to grow up. One of the hardest things is visiting Brittany’s grave with her children and seeing that she still doesn’t have a headstone. It breaks my heart when they ask why she doesn’t have one, and I want to honor her memory in a way that brings comfort to her kids.

I am asking for help to cover immediate expenses, including a headstone for Brittany and catching up on our mortgage so we can keep our home. Any support will help us get back on our feet as I work and strive to give Cohen and Ella the care and stability they deserve. Thank you for reading our story and for considering a donation to help our family during this difficult time.