In memory of Riham, for her kids

On Wednesday 11/22 Riham suffered some complications due to severe asthma, which caused her heart to stop and she ended up slipping into a coma. The doctors did everything they could but after a week of her not responding to treatment or improving, the doctors said there is nothing else that can be done for her. So on the evening of Thursday 11/30, her parents had to make a decision that no parent should ever have to make; her breathing tube was removed and she slipped away peacefully.

Riham has always been a ball of energy, always smiling and lighting up any room she walked into. Her positive energy and smile were infectious, it was hard to feel down while you're around her. She left behind two little boys (6 & 4), who have been living with her parents. To make matters worse, one year ago today (12/02/2022), her parents also lost their oldest daughter, who also left behind two kids (boy 9 & girl 7), and they're also living with their grandparents. So while the Gasmelseid family does still have their youngest son to help them care for all the kids, they lost both their daughters within one year of each other, and are now left with the huge task of raising all four of their grandchildren.

Words cannot begin to describe how devastating this is. Yes it's God's will but that doesn't make it hurt any less. They barely got a chance to catch their breath and recover from the loss of their first daughter, and now this. Considering that I pretty much grew up with these girls, my heart is aching. We may not have been blood relatives but it sure does feel like I lost two sisters.

The family can use any and all help they can get during this tough time. Any funds raised will be distributed by me to Riham's parents and will be used to create a trust of some sort for her boys. We appreciate all donations and prayers sent her family's way, they definitely need it.

يا رب ترحمها و تغفر لها و تسكنها فسيح جناتك و تلهم أهلها الصبر و السلوان و تحفظ أولادها و تبعد عنهم كل شر انشالله