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| Photo copyright Aji, 2015; all rights reserved. |
And the adults, too.
I've already written elsewhere about what today means for Wings and me. It's a day of mourning and remembrance, true, but also, as I said last year, a day of celebration . . . and, of course, a day of thanksgiving. It's also a day that puts us in mind of the ancestors, remembering their sacrifices, all that they have given to us, even now.
This evening, just before we finished our tasks for the day, Grandfather appeared. He was not willing to let me capture his image today; this one is from a few weeks ago. But his brief appearance, as I was completing this particular task, I took as a sign that I'm meant post this tonight, rather than waiting for tomorrow.
I've written in the past about our friends, Amanda and Jack (who a lot of you know as Vetwife and Vet). They've been through the wringer several times over just this year alone.
Unfortunately, fate wasn't done with them yet.
Earlier this year, I wrote a post here to help raise funds for the family in the aftermath of Jack's near-miss with death. They're raising kids and grandkids, battling health problems on multiple fronts, and every day is a struggle to keep several bodies and souls together.
Now, the whole family has been touched by tragedy that no one should every have to know. The costs are staggering. The family is facing a bleak holiday season as it is; without some help, the five young ones, particularly, will have a very tough time indeed.
Details are over the jump, but first, if you want to help: I persuaded Amanda to set up an Amazon wish list for the family. I told her to make it as comprehensive as possible (given the short period of time she's had to work on it), because you never know who will want to help out with what. So there are a variety of items on it: some toys and educational items that are very clearly for the kids; some needed practical items, like bedding; and a few things for the adults, like music. Most items are very modest, but she's wisely included some "dream" items, too. If you'd like to help by purchasing something off the wish list, go here. [If you do buy something from it, let Amanda know (or let me know so that I can pass it on to her) so that she can remove it and avoid duplication.] If you prefer simply to give cash to help with expenses, you can do so via their PayPal account, at amandakato [at] msn [dot] com.
Now, follow me over the jump for the backstory.
