Unexpected expenses
Donation protected
Steve, my dad, I don't even know where to start. So many stories, so many memories. So many amazing things can be said for the man who raised me. The man who chose to be my dad, the man who wanted to be my dad. Steve was a better dad to me then I understood. He was the MOST AMAZING husband. He was the kind of friend you keep for life! He was THE BEST dad to ALL his children, blood born and adopted.
There are not that many kids in the world who know what it is like to grow up with 2 parents who love each other as much as my mom and my dad (Steve) did. Of course growing up there was a LOT of, “grose stop” & “oh god would you two go get a room” but that was of course ALWAYS followed up with “This is our room”. And while some kids walk in on their parents in the bedroom at least one in there life, I got the displeasure of walking in on them a LOT more than just once. When you are a kid you think “OH GROSE! NASTY!” But then you grow up & realize just how rare that kind of love is. There love is one of fairy tales. There “honeymoon” phase ended that day my dad passed away. It is the kind of love that most people can only dream of & some spend their entire lives looking for.
My dad was amazing! He was actually the one who talked my mom into buying me a horse when I was a kid, but don't worry, he learned what a mistake that was later. But then, one day, after he came home from the hospital the last time, we were having a cigarette and talking. Steve told me that it was the best investment of his life because Wolfie made me so happy. That because of him I found my passion & even though he was talking about Wolfie, I knew in my heart that it was really because of my dad that I was lucky enough that I got 20 years with my best-friend. And while yes, not having Wolfie anymore has made my life MUCH harder & I am an emotional wreck now who would rather just be numb and feel nothing at all & it made losing my dad even that much harder. I know that I can take a little comfort every day in knowing how lucky I was to have them BOTH in my life. Even if they were both taken WAY to soon.
He wants me to find that thing I love again, & put my whole heart into it. He said he was sorry that we lost Wolfie to soon and he was sorry that I wouldn't have Wolfie to lean on anymore when things got the worst here at home. His hope was that I will soon be ready for that passion again in my life because he knew just how much it made me who I was and how much it helped me.
Steve also risked his life everyday for total and complete strangers. He was a very brave first responder. He would be one of the guys running into a burning building to save someone & risk his own life doing so while everyone else was running out. In fact, that is the reason he suffered the way he did. Every Dr. they told he was a firefighter was NOT surprised of the kind of cancer he had. Meaning that it is very common for firefighters to get lung cancer and pancreatic cancer later in life. So, actually, yes in fact being the kind of amazing person that he was is what killed him in the long run.
I am doing this without my mother’s knowledge or blessing. I am doing this because she did not work at all the last month & half because she was home every day taking care of him. Spending those last precious and heartbreaking moments with Steve. That was much more important than anything else. Including taking care of herself. And while she would NEVER ask for help. I know these coming months are going to be the hardest financial months of her life. I am hoping to raise enough for her to not have to worry quite as much as she is right now. There is also the memorial “celebration of life party” coming up that is not going to be cheap. I am SURE there is more than that. More than what I overhear, and more than what she tells me.
So as everyone says, every/any little bit helps. I also know that she is one of the most giving people I know. I know she donates to her friends when they need help. Weather it’s for a vet bill, an auto bill, medical help, or anything else that friends need help with. I am asking that we repay the favor because I know that she HATES asking for help. Even when she should. I also know she won’t ask for help.
So I am.
There are not that many kids in the world who know what it is like to grow up with 2 parents who love each other as much as my mom and my dad (Steve) did. Of course growing up there was a LOT of, “grose stop” & “oh god would you two go get a room” but that was of course ALWAYS followed up with “This is our room”. And while some kids walk in on their parents in the bedroom at least one in there life, I got the displeasure of walking in on them a LOT more than just once. When you are a kid you think “OH GROSE! NASTY!” But then you grow up & realize just how rare that kind of love is. There love is one of fairy tales. There “honeymoon” phase ended that day my dad passed away. It is the kind of love that most people can only dream of & some spend their entire lives looking for.
My dad was amazing! He was actually the one who talked my mom into buying me a horse when I was a kid, but don't worry, he learned what a mistake that was later. But then, one day, after he came home from the hospital the last time, we were having a cigarette and talking. Steve told me that it was the best investment of his life because Wolfie made me so happy. That because of him I found my passion & even though he was talking about Wolfie, I knew in my heart that it was really because of my dad that I was lucky enough that I got 20 years with my best-friend. And while yes, not having Wolfie anymore has made my life MUCH harder & I am an emotional wreck now who would rather just be numb and feel nothing at all & it made losing my dad even that much harder. I know that I can take a little comfort every day in knowing how lucky I was to have them BOTH in my life. Even if they were both taken WAY to soon.
He wants me to find that thing I love again, & put my whole heart into it. He said he was sorry that we lost Wolfie to soon and he was sorry that I wouldn't have Wolfie to lean on anymore when things got the worst here at home. His hope was that I will soon be ready for that passion again in my life because he knew just how much it made me who I was and how much it helped me.
Steve also risked his life everyday for total and complete strangers. He was a very brave first responder. He would be one of the guys running into a burning building to save someone & risk his own life doing so while everyone else was running out. In fact, that is the reason he suffered the way he did. Every Dr. they told he was a firefighter was NOT surprised of the kind of cancer he had. Meaning that it is very common for firefighters to get lung cancer and pancreatic cancer later in life. So, actually, yes in fact being the kind of amazing person that he was is what killed him in the long run.
I am doing this without my mother’s knowledge or blessing. I am doing this because she did not work at all the last month & half because she was home every day taking care of him. Spending those last precious and heartbreaking moments with Steve. That was much more important than anything else. Including taking care of herself. And while she would NEVER ask for help. I know these coming months are going to be the hardest financial months of her life. I am hoping to raise enough for her to not have to worry quite as much as she is right now. There is also the memorial “celebration of life party” coming up that is not going to be cheap. I am SURE there is more than that. More than what I overhear, and more than what she tells me.
So as everyone says, every/any little bit helps. I also know that she is one of the most giving people I know. I know she donates to her friends when they need help. Weather it’s for a vet bill, an auto bill, medical help, or anything else that friends need help with. I am asking that we repay the favor because I know that she HATES asking for help. Even when she should. I also know she won’t ask for help.
So I am.
Organizer
Shelly Brewer
Organizer
Newtown, CT
