Kristin Watley memorial fundraiser

UPDATE: Kristin passed peacefully last night, surrounded by her family, music and lots of love. Please keep us in your thoughts as we say goodbye and work through the complex emotions of losing Kristin way too early.

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This is Kristin Bloomer Watley - a passionate poet, an experimental artist, the mother of two smart and beautiful girls, a daughter to a mom who passed way too early, a grand-daughter, a sister to a twin brother and step-sister to another, a friend, an animal lover, a kind soul with a broken heart and so, so much more.

I am Kristin's Aunt, Kim. Her mom, Kathy, was my sister. After Kathy died in 2007 at the age of 38, Kristin was grief stricken and deeply pained over the loss. Kristin wanted the love and felt the attachment to her mom so deeply that she followed her footsteps toward an early demise. It is a tragic story of emotional turmoil and addiction, repeated by generations. While we cannot change the choices of those we love, we can help their family and friends. In that vein, I am helping raise funds for Kristin's end of life expenses and memorial services.

Kristin is only 35 years old. Her 2 girls, Cheryl Ann and Vicky Lynn have been the light of her life. She also has the Bloomer family, the Keith family and extended family and friends that continue to love and help her through this short life.

Kristin was diagnosed with heart failure about a year ago and has been struggling to live. After a recent hospital stay, she is now in end-stage hospice at her family's home in West Monroe, Louisiana. Kristin only has 10% of her heart's capacity to do its job. That means that she is in pain, left breathlessness with minimal exertion. "She wakes up from a long sleep and is exhausted," said her Auntie Melissa. Even at rest, Kristin's heart and her body are working overtime to keep her alive. While we are very hopeful that Kristin is pain-free for the remainder of her life, we are wrestling with the reality that she will not get better, according to all of the medical professionals who are overseeing her care.

Being surrounded by her family and friends and animals provides a warmth, a familiar comfort that is greatly needed by all. The reality is, that Kristin will receive at-home hospice throughout the rest of her life. She is sleeping the majority of the time and wakes up to a photograph of her mom next to her bed. Kristin has accepted the Lord as her savior and wants to be reunited with her mom as she ascends into the after-life. Please pray for Kristin and for those who love her.

Through this GoFundMe page, we want to provide an online option for friends and family to contribute to Kristin's end of life and memorial expenses. Kristin has asked for a simple cremation with military honors and a celebration of life with her friends and family.

If you can, please donate. Your contribution will help us cover some of Kristin's expenses and imminent memorial services. Thank you.

*if you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. It is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information services for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Please call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).