Story

One year and three days ago, I experienced the unimaginable loss of my beloved sister Johnny. At just 33 years old, she was a dedicated mother to seven children—five of whom she had full custody of, while the other two had been adopted. Johnny fought valiantly to overcome a heroin addiction, only to tragically lose her battle against cancer five years later. Before she passed, her greatest wish was for her children to be safe and cared for, vowing that the state would never take them away again. Her kids were her whole world; she couldn’t bear to be away from them for more than 45 minutes without expressing deep concern for their well-being.

Now, I find myself with custody of three of her precious children. As someone who doesn’t have children of my own, the responsibility feels overwhelming yet vital. When Johnny was hospitalized, I informed my boss of the situation and asked for time off to be with her. He kindly agreed, saying I could take as long as I needed. Sadly, on March 28, 2024, after a brave struggle, my brother-in-law made the heart-wrenching decision to take Johnny off life support. In less than a minute, she was gone—her peaceful expression marked by a single tear and a slight smile, finally free from pain.

Upon returning to work the following Monday, I was filled with grief yet determined to focus on my tasks and distract myself. However, to my shock, my boss informed me that they were letting me go due to a lack of work. In Arizona, a right-to-work state, I had little recourse to challenge this decision. I desperately explained my situation, emphasizing that I now had the responsibility of three children and was willing to work part-time or reduce my hours just to maintain a steady income. His response was a firm no.

Now, I’ve resorted to making deliveries with Uber Eats, but I’ve lost the vehicle that I relied on for this job, leaving me unable to earn any money to pay bills or repair my car. I am reaching out with a heavy heart, as I cannot allow these three amazing kids to suffer or be placed in jeopardy. My sister fought so hard to bring them back into her life, and now I must honor her memory and fulfill her legacy by keeping them safe.

I am humbly asking for your support. Any donations—no matter how small—would make an enormous difference in helping me cover bills and get my vehicle fixed. Additionally, I am more than willing to take on yard work, landscaping, dog walking, or any small jobs to earn money. This is not easy for me to do; I’ve never been one to ask for help, but I am at a breaking point.

Please consider helping me, a struggling aunt trying to keep her three nieces and nephews together. Your generosity could make a world of difference for our family in this incredibly challenging time. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can offer.

paypal.me/TanaShears88

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