Holly Benton

After Shane's funeral, I decided to give us some time in Iowa to be with Shane's parents, 2 brothers and sister-in-laws, and their combined seven children. Spending time with family has been very good for us. The girls absolutely love being surrounded by family. It's also been good so that we can all lean on each other. Additionally, we have been deeply embraced by the community here. So it naturally fell into place that we continue staying here. So! We will be in Iowa for at least this school year. The girls started 4K on Monday and it's been really good to see them start a routine. Shane was a deeply kind person. He would talk to anyone and treat each person with the same level of respect and kindness. I feel that in this grief, I am being treated with that same sense of kindness. By people I know and by people I don't know at all! The support has been astonishing. It's come from every corner. I am so grateful that I can't even express it properly. With the outpouring of support, I have been able to take care of things needed. Ive been able to take care of bills, settle accounts, pay some things ahead, purchase things I need, as well as set up savings, retirement, and some modest investing. I know no one asked what I have done with the money specifically, but I wanted to share. We still have our home in St Paul and I have been traveling back and fourth occasionally to pack/unpack. And to spend time in the place where I last saw Shane. Every day feels different than the last. There are okay days, and bad days, with some happy moments sprinkled into both. Sometimes the grief hits HEAVY. sometimes it's manageable. sometimes it feels wrong. like a mistake has been made and it just can't be real. But I press on. I know I won't give up. I pray for guidance and clarity. I pray to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I know I'm not alone. Thank you to everyone everyone everyone. Your kindness and prayers mean everything to me.