A Helping Hand (family): Munson and Waddell

Anyone who has known us for very long understands we have a very large extended family - VERY large. This was not a first marriage for either of us, not even a second. We both were widowed from twenty year blended marriages, bringing to our marriage a number of kids and grandkids. Of course, then some of our kids found themselves in blended marriages as well. So our current total is:

• 11 Kids with 9 living
• 25 Grandkids with 24 living
• 10 Great Grandkids

Yes, as I said, VERY large. In the last year we've had two significant changes.

My son-in-law, Eric Munson, from my late husband's side of the family is battling brain cancer. The same kind that took Senator John McCain. They have remained very positive and have faith he will be able to beat this. In the meantime, they need help. They have four children with one in college and one soon to be in college. In addition, they became legal guardians of their young nephew (and our great-grandson) after his father passed away. Here is the link to their GoFundMe page:
  https://www.gofundme.com/kick-it-out-munson-style

GoFundMe Request

This past weekend we had more tragic news. One of our grandsons was killed while on his job. Kenny Waddell was working on a project in neighboring Cookeville on the weekend. Here are more details per an interview with his co-worker as well as words from his widow.

As a tower climber for more than 12 years with his most recent position being a construction manager for MasTec Network Solutions, Waddell and Dale Darling did a pre-check of the new anchors to ensure that they were structurally secure and then proceeded to erect the new Rohn 25G tower.

Waddell was the only individual on the tower when he was preparing to attach the second set of guy wires at 70 feet. A previous set had been installed at the 40-foot level.

Darling (the co-worker) informed Wireless Estimator this morning that suddenly one guy let loose from the anchor and the tower collapsed, plummeting Waddell to the ground on the section he was tied off to.

Although one news report said that “apparently a guy wire stabilizing the tower on a turnbuckle snapped,” Darling said that it was not a failure of the guy wire or the half-inch turnbuckle, but it appeared to have been caused by a shackle failure. [source: Wireless Estimater.com]

He leaves behind his wife and five children, all under the age of seven, including two sets of twins. He was thirty years old. We first met him two years ago, he is our grandson from my daughter's marriage to his dad. We got to meet the entire family when they came to visit last March while Stu and Kenny worked on the design for what is becoming the Backend of Nowhere Garage. Once again, we have a GoFundMe link for anyone who can help, even $5:
 https://www.gofundme.com/waddellfamily

GoFundMe Request

Yes, both these funds have already raised over $25k already, but think about the challenges and bills ahead for both families. They will be significant and on-going. Thank you for any help, even if it's just sharing their story link with your family and friends.

In the meantime, remember...

Ciao for now!

A Holiday Helping Hand

This time of year can be tough for many under normal circumstances. But for others, times are extraordinarily bad. These two families are facing the extraordinary. One family I know personally, the other is new to the neighborhood. Both need a helping hand...if enough donate $5, it will add up. Please consider reading their stories and helping if you can. Regardless, please share their tales.

Thank you...

Imagine losing your job of fifteen years just before the holidays. But that's okay, you think, you have a home paid for in another state. A home that was planned for retirement. Not ready to retire, but now a place for a new start. You pack up your family and move from New Jersey to Tennessee, ready for a thankful Thanksgiving with plans for a joyous Christmas. But it was not to be....your dream house had been vandalized beyond recognition.

Then toss in ending up in the hospital for several days due to issues with her diabetes. If that's not enough, one contractor has stopped work until he is paid - paid for something that isn't' passing inspection. All your credit cards are maxed between hotel bills and sheetrock & drywall that is slowing going in to help make the house a home again. You're heating up lunch, soup in cans on top of the kerosene heater you're running - remember, no electricity in the house.

And don't forget, Christmas is just around the corner.

I visited Sunday and took them groceries, a couple of Christmas things for their eight year old daughter and dog food. Please read their story and possibly help...

The second family's story started several months ago and unfortunately today, it's an all too common one. Cancer strikes, once again. She's forty-one years old. Married. Has a teenage son. And, as you now know, is battling cancer. Her family recently moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina, so they don't have a strong connection to the community. Ellen's parents live on the west coast and fly back and forth, staying with Ellen as long as possible.

Ellen's son, Tyler, is a champion high school wrestler and I've been a long distance supporter of him for several years. Ellen's father, Lee Lofland, is a personal friend, a former police officer, a writer and the founder of the Writer's Police Academy (which I attended in 2014). He has spent his life helping others, now we have the chance to return just a small portion of that help. Even with insurance, the medical bills mount. And they don't begin to cover the costs of driving back and forth for treatments and other appointments. The financial toll is staggering (and I know this from personal experience with my late husband). Please read Ellen's story and all the updates and maybe you can help.

Ellen and her husband at one of Tyler's winning wrestling meets.

Thank you again....and Merry Christmas!

Ciao for now!