On July 28th, my life changed forever. My parents, married for 34 years, came to visit me on the 14th of July, and a couple weeks into their vacation, we were on our way up to a camping trip together when we were involved in a tragic car accident. My mom, Dawn, was killed. She was a passionate, giving mother and an amazing friend to my dad. Their bond was truly special—they were best friends and each other’s home. Losing her so suddenly has left my dad devastated, and it’s been incredibly hard to watch him navigate life without her.

As we work through the shock and grief, I’ve taken on the responsibility of helping my dad with everything that comes after such a loss. My dad is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and I’m in Englewood, Colorado, so there are many challenges with distance and potential future relocation. Right now, we’re not sure exactly where my dad will settle, but I’m committed to supporting him as he figures out his next steps. I’ve had to step back from my work as a personal chef a bit to help my dad figure out the logistics of moving, handle arrangements, and organize my mom’s affairs. My line of work doesn’t provide bereavement leave, so I’m also facing lost income during this time.

Dawn was the kind of person who made everyone feel cared for. Some of my favorite memories are baking with her—especially making snickerdoodles together. The rest of my family would say that she was compassionate, easy-going and had a green thumb, as well as being an avid angler and hunter. I want to honor her memory by making sure my dad has the support he needs. The funds from this GoFundMe will help cover immediate living expenses and property taxes as his income has been halved and he's been relying on disability, household and legal transitions, essential living expenses while I take time away from work, and therapy to help me and my father process this loss. Any contribution, no matter the size, will make a real difference for us. Thank you for helping us through the most difficult time of our lives.