Lamario Jones

In 2020, when the pandemic began, our lives changed in ways we never could have imagined. We lost my mother-in-law to COVID-19, a loss that shook our family to its core. She was the heart of our family, the one who held everyone together. Not long after, our landlord passed away and his family sold the house we were living in, forcing us to move out quickly. We decided to try for a fresh start in Florida, but when we arrived, the home we had been approved for was no longer available. That left us homeless for three months, with two of our daughters and our granddaughter. During that time, one of my daughters became ill, and we returned to North Carolina, moving in with our son until we could get back on our feet. Eventually, we found a new place to live, but just as we were starting to rebuild, my wife suffered a mini stroke (TSI), followed by a major stroke a month later. In 2024 and again in 2025, she had more mini strokes. The constant doctor visits and her recovery meant I became her caregiver, and I struggled with my own mental health, eventually being diagnosed with manic depression and bipolar disorder. Our vehicle broke down, and we relied on the kindness of others for rides until our pastor helped us get another car. It still needs repairs, but it gets us where we need to go most days. Through all of this, we’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve always tried to keep moving forward. This year, my wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. My dream is to renew our vows in Chandler, Arizona—a place she has always wanted to visit. I want to give her this special moment, to show her how much she means to me after everything we’ve been through together. The funds we raise will go toward travel, accommodations, her medicine, and making sure our vehicle is safe for the journey. I know times are tough for many, but if you can help us make this dream come true, it would mean the world to us. Any support, big or small, brings us closer to giving my wife the day she truly deserves.