John and Emily French, formerly of Ft Myers

John and Emily have recently moved to Georgia after a complete loss in Ft Myers, FL, during Hurricane Ian in late September. Emily is my niece- she turned 36 a week after this tragedy. A medically retired Army veteran with love for life, her husband John, and Buddha (their fur-kid). John was gainfully employed with Amazon. They had vehicles. They were independent and hard at work on their dreams. They gave back- helping family, friends and the community. Genuinely good people.

They rode out that storm in their home with their parents as the flood surge wiped out an entire community. It was a complete loss of dwelling and vehicles. They were not eligible to receive FEMA assistance because they rented, and the landlord received the help. A friend in Cartersville, GA offered them a room, so family near and far shipped them here, with love and few salvaged belongings. They arrived and hit the ground running- relocating jobs, planning to reclaim their life. Down, but not out; still appreciating the rainbows despite the rain.

The hurricane was weeks ago, and I haven't heard one financial complaint. Emily's facebook posts have remained positive, and her photos of her and John are joyous. Sometimes- there's a hint that they have suffered a loss, a trauma, many will never understand. But they survived the flood, the heat, the lack of water/food/electricity/toilets, the loss of "stuff", the loss of their home and comfort. I wasn't hearing complaining, but not because they were not burdened.

I checked in recently and learned (only because I asked) that they have needs and no resources. Primarily, they had to rent a car. John's family helped for a month, but the next payment of $620.00 is coming up soon. They still have no income because Amazon hasn't completed processing the transfer.

I asked if I could try to raise some money for them. I haven't done this before, and to be honest, there's a ton of gofundme needs. But these are my people, and I want to help. I donated first, and now I'm asking if anyone would like to help get that rental fee covered, and then some. Why more? Because they need to buy groceries and dog food, pay co-pays, pay bills - or go without.

I've never stopped to think of what it would be like to lose it all in one night. When I did, all I could think was how vulnerable and scary it must be to depend on other people's kindness to survive. I know a lot of people lost so much during the hurricane. I'm grateful these lives were spared, and I know my donation will not be spent in vain. I hope you will join me in supporting this fine GEORGIA couple! Whom I happen to love. If you met them, you'd love them too. -Be well, my friends.