This is extreemly difficult for me to post, but my family has been through a lot since my husband Daniel died by suicide on May 31, 2024, and I have reached a point where I need to ask for help.

That day changed everything for our family. My husband and I had been together for 24 years. We built a life, a home, a family, and a business together. In one moment, my children and I lost not only him, but the future we thought we had.

Since then, we've been doing our best to survive the grief, trauma, and financial reality that followed.

My youngest son was only 11 years old when he lost his father. My oldest son came home on what should have been one of the happiest days of his life—his high school graduation—to a tragedy no child should ever have to experience. Today he attends Rosedale Tech full time while also working full time to help support our family.

Recently, the motor in his car blew. One of the first things he texted me was, "I need to call my dad." That simple sentence shattered my heart because even now, after all this time, there are moments when the reality hits us all over again.

My oldest son lives in California and is working toward becoming a master plumber. He calls me in the middle of the night crying because he misses his dad and feels guilty that he isn't here to help carry some of this burden.

As for me, I have spent the last two years trying to keep moving forward. I nearly lost my home to foreclosure but managed to save it. Unfortunately, keeping a roof over our heads meant letting other financial obligations fall behind. I've continued working and trying to keep my business alive while navigating grief, trauma, and therapy alongside my children.

We're all in specialized trauma therapy and trying to rebuild our lives one day at a time.

I've always found it easier to help others than ask for help myself. In fact, this post took me a long time to write because asking for help feels incredibly uncomfortable. But I also know I can't carry everything alone anymore.

If you're able to donate, share, or simply offer words of encouragement, I would be deeply grateful.

[https://gofund.me/e52a93646](https://gofund.me/e52a93646)

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for allowing me a space to be honest about where my family is right now. ❤️

I've always found it easier to help others than ask for help myself, but my family could use some support