How you can help Natalee, Anslee, and Jonah

This is my second gofundme campaign in as many years. Once again I’m asking for help from our community, but this time it’s on behalf of my beloved younger sister Natalee and her two precious children Anslee (age 9) and Jonah (age 7). On Sunday, March 5th, they received the worst news any young family can get; husband and father Matthew Pospical had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. There is no preparation for this. In a single moment, four became three and those who remained were forced into a new and devastating reality.

Sunday was Matt's birthday. While Natalee, Anslee, and Jonah decorated the house and wrapped presents in eager anticipation of their dad's celebration later, Natalee got word that Matt would not be coming home again. Within hours her family gathered closely around her to give what comfort and support we could give. We held them in our arms, openly weeping together while she shared the news with her children.

Words fail to describe what followed.

The agony on my sister’s face as she grieved with her kids will never leave my heart or mind. I saw her heartbreak for her babies.

The sounds of children raging against the reality that their daddy is gone will haunt our family forever.

The cries as cousins, siblings, parents, and children clung to one another with a desperation that says “your pain is our pain”.

Hours passed.

Then in the somber stillness of a room full of people who have cried long after we thought we had no more tears, at the request of his kids, we sang happy birthday to Matt one last time. Natalee, Anslee, and Jonah blew out the candles on his favorite cake.

We are continuing to surround the Pospical/Ulinski family with every ounce of love that we have, sharing meals, memories, and countless tears. Many have shown up and provided a steady stream of food, as well as gifts and activities for the kids. Out of respect for Natalee, Anslee, Jonah, and Matt, we ask for privacy and compassion when messages go seen but unanswered.

Day by day and minute by minute, Natalee’s family are caring for her, Anslee, and Jonah. We need help though. If you want to send a message that says “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do”, I’m telling you right here, right now, what you can do is buy Natalee time.

Give Natalee the gift of time to care for her children’s needs during the next 12 months. Give her time to care for her own needs again. Give Anslee and Jonah the gift of time with their mom whenever they need it because her expenses are paid for and she can stay home with them.

Think about how many bills you pay in a month, then imagine losing most of your shared income.

Buy them groceries. Google the suggested weekly grocery budget for a family of three. How often will their family need the familiarity of their favorite foods and meals? How often will Natalee need the ability to order takeout when cooking and dishes are just too much?

Pay their mortgage. Buy her one year to figure out whether or not she needs to move. Give her kids a year in the house they grew up in with Dad if it might be their last one.

Pay her car insurance, renew her tabs, buy her a tank of gas. Does she have car payments? I don't know but throw one in for good measure. Make it so she never has to say "no" to going to the park or getting the kids out of the house for a few hours because of gas prices.

Pay her phone bill. Keep her connected to the people she needs.

Pay their utilities. Water, garbage, electric, internet, ones I haven't thought of.

Don’t forget about all the different medical/dental bills and co-pays young families have, planned and unplanned.

Pay for her freakin netflix so there’s just ONE less change or sacrifice while they’re all learning to survive.

Taking on just one of these expenses alone for a year would strain anyone under the circumstances, but together we can share her burden by spreading it across as many shoulders as possible.

Please. I am begging you, I am calling you, please buy this sweet family one year to grieve their loss and learn how to navigate without a beloved father before Natalee has to support all three of them. Please consider sending donations via venmo or cashapp for fee-free transactions (usernames listed below).

Stand in the gap between her life last week and her life from now on. Choose to love them like this.

Love is a funny thing. It is everything all at once. It laughs with those who laugh and cries with those who cry. Love is beautiful and big and it tears us to shreds. When someone you love has their heart broken and their world shattered, your love for them flows white-hot in tears and snot-covered faces. Love shares the good and the bad with the same burning, cutting intensity. Love is brutal in its strength and tender in its touch, reaching out in desperate clinging hugs and gut-wrenching sobs. Love is the quiet that comes after. When we’re empty but we’re still here. Together.

Hold each other tightly

It is an honor to love.

Rest in peace, Matthew.

1991-2023