Holiday Dream Come True

In the photo for this page I'm in a flower field next to my grandmother's house; a field full of "Indian Paintbrushes" in Shawnee, Oklahoma. At that time I must have been four or five. I was six when my mother decided we would move back to California. Since then there have been two brief visits with my grandmother and grandfather who drove to visit, and one summer stay with my father which was not long enough.

For the last three years, I would say, my grandmother has seemed rather sad on holidays. Not the typical, "It's quiet without grandkids running around all day," type. Just five days after Christmas in 2010, we lost my father; the hospital could never figure out why. Divided we were during this time because of financial struggles. The one thing that seemed to make her happy was that she still had my grandfather, but a mere three months later we lost him too. He died of Lou Gehrig's Disease - which most have now learned is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) thanks to the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Pictured below is a small altar I had put together in remebrance of those I have lost. Pictured in the picture: My dad feeding me, my grandfather feeding me, a framed photo of my friend Roy. 



The summer before my dad died, my mother was reluctant to let me go and so my dad didn’t end up having the money to bring us out once summer started anyways. We had plans for summer 2011, but he didn’t make it. I didn’t even know he was dying. Because of school, I didn’t get to see my grandfather either. His death was just as sudden as my dad’s. These events are both hearbreaking and terrifying to me because I know I can lose anyone I love at any moment, or they could lose me. Seeing my grandmother and spending Christmas with her would make me beyond happy.

“We’ll see how the money situation goes before Christmas. But what will you do for spending money?” Hopeful that I would be able to go, I sat down to figure out what I need and realized that it would cost more than I first thought. When I go, I don't want my grandmother to sruggle to support herself, my uncle, and then me. I want to be able to say, "Oh no, Gramma, I got it," when she tries to buy me something I don't need - something I will accept because I know she means well. Beyond that, I want to be able to buy her something nice as well.

Pictured below is Christmas 2013 at my house with my mother, sister, stepfather, his family, and "Uncle Junior."



Because I live in California and the days have gotten hotter and hotter, I do not have anything suitable for winter weather in Oklahoma - as you can see above. Being accustomed to wearing tights with a dress and cardigan on a rainy day, I need to purchase leggings and a jacket. Oh, and boots! I just now realized that I am going to need boots. These are things I wasn't thinking about when I told my mum I wanted to go. Things I know none of my family can afford to get me. Everything I buy for a snowy winter would either be saved for a trip next year or donated to Choctaw Nation for those in need - because I doubt it will be snowing in Los Angeles when I get back.

Any donations are appreciated, even a dollar. In the event that I do not raise enough money to make the trip out I will be getting my senior photos done to send her a set - she has missed out on all of my graduations and I couldn't afford to get my portraits done and send her one like she asked.



As I don't have much to offer, setting reward levels would be confusing. Any donor over $5 can contact me if they so wish and I will be extremely willing to send them a postcard from either Carson (Los Angeles County), California, or Shawnee, Oklahoma - you choose, I send - to show my gratitude. Again, if the goal is not reached this will be changed a slight bit and the postcard will come from California. Thank you to each and every person who has taken the time to read, share, or donate.