Help the Nichols family say goodbye to Kelly

I met the Nichols family 6 years ago when I enrolled my two children into a new school. Kelly and Kristina‘s 2 boys, Lars and Henrik, were in the same grade and same classes as my 2 children. Our two youngest boys became fast friends, Kristina welcomed me to the school with open arms, and the rest is history. Since then our children have spent every summer bicycling and swimming. Our two youngest are still best buddies and our two oldest have continued onto high school, where they take classes and study together weekly. Since moving into the same neighborhood I have come to know the entire family and they truly epitomize the definition of what a real family is; spending every holiday, every vacation, every minute they can together. The kind of family most of us long to have. But several weeks ago their world was rocked when Kelly suddenly took ill and was sent to the ICU. A few days into his hospitalization it appeared he was improving, and they were hopeful that in time he’d be returning home to recover. Then things took a drastic turn and he was placed on life support before passing unexpectedly. Something no one had anticipated.




I don’t think I need to explain how heartbreakingly devastating this sudden loss and cruel new reality has been. Near impossible to understand, process or accept. For those of us who have lost a loved one, we know the pain and the grief that comes with it, and the feeling of a void that is never filled. When we take our vows we know that someday far away we might be the one to survive the death of our spouse, but we never fathom that time coming so soon, as it has for Kristina. And while we all know that one day we will lay our parents to rest, we imagine that day coming far in the future, when we are aged. The loss of a parent at such a young age, as Lars and Henrik, is unimaginable and a hurt like no other. I think I speak for us all when I say that Kristina, Lars and Henrik are enduring our worst fear. At a time like this I think we all feel helpless, knowing we cannot change the situation or take away the pain.




But we CAN provide relief. Between the heartache and the struggle that comes with loss, also comes the inevitable and unfortunate financial burden that a loved one is forced to deal with. It’s not just memorial costs and hospital bills, it’s also picking up the pieces as a single mother and moving forward to support and raise 2 boys alone. This is where we can provide help during a time where money should be the least of their issues. Let’s help them so they can focus their energy on spending time together to heal and regroup, rather than stress on finances. Our combined contributions can help them better navigate these unforeseen circumstances.