Stanley Lewis met my mom eight years ago, and from the very beginning, they truly enjoyed each other’s company. At the time, I had my two boys—Jamauri, who was six, and Jordan, who was just nine months old. After about a year, my mom invited Stanley to come stay with us, and from that moment on, he became an important part of our family. Stanley is a kind-hearted, gentle man. Though he was quiet, his support spoke volumes. He showed up for us in every way imaginable. Over time, he formed an unbreakable bond with my boys—three of them now—and has been there for my youngest, Jaylen, since day one. Jaylen is now five. In one of our recent conversations, Stanley shared that Jaylen—my youngest—is truly his best friend. And anyone who knows them can see it; they are two peas in a pod. Their love for each other is pure and undeniable.

Recently, Stanley was admitted to the hospital, and in an instant, our lives changed. He was diagnosed with kidney and heart failure, and for the past three weeks, his organs have been in a painful tug-of-war. Though his body is tired, his heart is not ready to leave us—especially his best friend. Sadly, the doctors have told us there is nothing else that can be done. We are now asking for support to help cover Stanley's medical bills, end-of-life care, and to provide support for my mom as we navigate this incredibly difficult time.

If you knew Stanley, you saw firsthand what a truly great man he was. And if you didn’t have the privilege of knowing him, then you truly missed out on a blessing. Any support you can give would mean the world to our family as we honor Stanley and care for each other.