I am a widow in desparate need of an Angel . First to help save my house and second finish the dream my husband and I never got to finish!
Hello and thank you for taking a moment to read my story. My name is Jordan, and I’m writing this with a humble heart and a hopeful spirit.
I’m a widow trying to pick up the pieces of a dream that my late husband and I built together. Life handed us challenges, setbacks, and unexpected losses that delayed our plans time and time again. Now, with him gone, I’m reaching out to the kindness of others—friends, strangers, and anyone willing to help—to finally make that dream a reality.
This isn’t easy for me. Asking for help, especially financial help, feels vulnerable. But I’ve come to understand that sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is to ask. So here I am, asking not just for money, but for belief. Belief in love, in hope, in the possibility of building something beautiful out of heartbreak. Stranger things have happened.
A Life Interrupted, A Dream Deferred
My husband and I shared a vision—one that many couples have: to grow old together in a home that truly felt like ours. In fact, we built the home ourselves using sweat equity. Our contruction crew consited of my two sisters, my parents, a few close friends and of course my husband and I. This was our first home together. We weren’t sure if we would stay in this home for the rest of our lives or if it was a stepping stone to our dream home. Just in case, we made sure to place the house on the lot so we would have room to add on if that is what we decided.
We often talked about the kind of space we wanted to create and where we wanted that space located. But, now wasn’t the time for that dream. We chose a two bath, three bedroom floor plan that we thought we could handle (remember sweat equity). We found a lot in a nice blue collar neighborhood that was within our budget and started building our home. Nothing extravagant, but it was ours. After 10 months of hard work, we got our occupancy permit and moved in to our brand new home.
After about a year or two, we began to talk about selling and moving, but the thought of selling was so sad and depressing. We had litterally put our blood, sweat and tears into this place so it was deeply personal. A deeply personal place with strong emotional ties. A warm, welcoming home where memories lived on in every wall, where laughter filled every room, where love echoed in the smallest details.
To Stay or To Go?! That is the Question!
We decided to stay put and add on and remodel and get as close to our dream home as possible without “building” us out of the neighboorhood. So hours were spent with multiple copies of a scaled down version of our current floor plan. Walls were whited-out and redrawn, bathtubs and toilets were moved to different locations (within the bathroom, of course), bedrooms were converted to walkin closets, bedrooms and bathrooms were added. New cabinet and appliance styles were chosen, and so forth. We finally came to an agreement. Which was amazing!
The two of us coming to any type of an agreement was an amazing achievement on its own. A few months after moving in, we decided to re-do the master closet. We measured, drew out plans, measured again, and we talked to make sure we knew the plan. That way we would know exactly what we needed to buy. Off to Home Depot we go with plan in hand. While standing in the aisle at Home Depot picking out supplies, we discovered we weren’t on the same page after all. Inspite of talking, measuring, and drawing a design, we were actually talking about two dirrerent closets.
We worked hard. We saved. We made plans. But as life often does, circumstances kept pushing our dream further into the future. There were job losses, unexpected medical bills, chronic debilitating illnesses, family responsibilities, and just the daily weight of surviving. Each time we thought we were close to finally getting started, something else would knock us off course. Even when he got sick, we were still optimistic that we could get this done. But, we were wrong.
That Day in August
When my husband retired, he took over taking care of the househould chores such as laundry, ironing, cleaning, cooking and more. Plus, he was still doing all of the outside chores as well. I was still working during this time, so I would come home to a clean house and dinner underway. Our evenings together would start with a glass of wine on the patio and enjoy each other’s company. I was so spoiled, blessed, and extremely grateful.
Even after he got sick, he still tried to help out around the house as much as possible. The doctor had placed him in pallative care so we knew we were on borrowed time. But, we still thought we had at least 4 or 5 more years together.
We had a scare in April 2021 and he spent 9 days in the hospital. Who knew a person’s lung could spontaneously collapse?! But, he made it home in time to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. We were felt so blessed. Then August 4, 2021 arrived.
In Sickness and In Health
The day started out like any other. I was at work (at home) by 8am. He got up a little later and made his way from the bedroom to ther recliner in the living room. Of course he stopped by the office to chat for a bit. And of course, our 2 cats and 2 dogs foIlowed him to the recliner. I’m certian they enjoyed their daily snuggles with Dad as much as he did. When the dogs needed to go outside, they would come to the office and let me know. Even though his recliner was by the back door and he could move around the house with his walker it was still a struggle for him. I think the dogs sensed his struggle so they didn’t want to make him get up.
Inspite of health limitations, my husband still insited on helping out around the house. As he felt able, he unloaded the dishwasher. He completed his physicall therapy excercises. We ate lunch together. He napped along with all 4 fur babies, while I completed my work day. After work I made dinner. Popcorn shrimp and french fries; one of his favorites.
Over dinner we discussed the need to update our wills, the living wills along with our family trust. Plus, we had just gotten approval from the doctor that he could still travel via air as long as the airline allowed his portable oxygen concentrater. We had a trip to Napa Valley planned for September, so we were excited that we could fly and wouldn’t have to drive. He also felt the need to apologize for not being able to help out more. I reminded him of all the years he took care of me by taking care of our home and now it was my turn to take care of him.
Grief Stricken and Heartbroken
As the day was winding down, we headed toward bed. As my husband was getting into his PJs, I was putting the dogs in their kennel and giving the cats their bedtime treats. When I got back to the bedroom I noticed he was having trouble breathing. He was adding and adjusting pillows and he was trying to use the very large oxygen concentrater (although it could move from room to room, it was never leaving the house) AND his portable one. WHAT?! I told him we were going to the hospital and I went to retrieve his shoes. He always left them in the living room. Just as I got back to the bedroom with his shoes, he clenched his fists and fell back onto the bed. I called 911 and started CPR. After the paramedics arrived, they worked on him for another 45 minutes but it was too late. He was gone!
Then came the hardest blow of all: I lost him.
We had been married for 28 years, 3 months, 11 days, 23 hours and 39 minutes and we had never really spent time appart. Even when one of us was traveling for work, we talked on the phone at least once per day or we ate dinner together via Skype. That ended at 11:39 pm on August 24, 2021. In the blink of an eye, 14,863,659 minutes of our time together on this earth was over.
While I have lost people in my life such as grand parents, parents, cousins, friends and so forth; but the grief of losing a soul mate is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It rearranges you from the inside out. For a long time, I couldn’t think about anything. I could put on a brave face for a few minutes but mostly I just cried. Life was on autopilot for months and in some ways it still is. Although I’m not crying all the time now, I still cry at least once every day.
The dream felt broken without him. But slowly, piece by piece, the idea returned—not as a painful reminder of what we lost, but as a tribute to what we had. It was around this time I realized while dealing with funeral arrangements and life insurance and overwhelming grief, I had misunderstood something about one of his policies. insurance policies and made a financial decision based on misunderstood information.
Why I’m Asking for Help
I’m seeking donations of $500,000. This money would be used to:
- Pay off lingering debts and household bills that have piled up since my husband’s passing.
- Remodel the existing home we shared so it’s more functional, safe, and comforting to address my own health issues.
- Add on to the house to create the living space we always imagined—bright, open, filled with light and love. Thus, fulfilling our shared dream!
- Build something that stands not just as a structure, but as a memorial to a beautiful life we shared.
This isn’t about luxury. This is about healing. This is about having the peace of mind that comes from financial security, the comfort of being in a space that feels truly mine, and the joy of completing a project that we started together in our hearts over 28 years ago.
I’m willing to accept any amount, big or small. Every dollar matters. Every bit brings me closer not just to a financial goal, but to the emotional goal of turning grief into gratitude.
What Your Loan Will Do
Your generosity will directly help:
- Eliminate Stressful Debt: Being able to pay off bills would mean I can sleep again at night without fear.
- Fund Construction and Remodeling: This includes necessary repairs, expanding parts of the house, creating a safe and efficient kitchen, and updating outdated areas.
- Build a Creative Space: My husband was passionate about [insert a hobby or interest of his, if applicable—music, painting, woodworking, etc.]. I want to create a space that honors that.
- Create a Guest Area: For family, friends, or even those who may one day need a safe place to stay.
It may seem like a lot, but home construction and renovations come with significant costs. I’m working with professionals and being as practical and transparent as possible. I’ll share updates, receipts, progress photos, and stories along the way. ADD FACEBEOOK PAGE
I’m willing to accept any amount, big or small. Every dollar matters. Every bit brings me closer not just to a financial goal, but to the emotional goal of turning grief into gratitude.
Why This Matters So Deeply
You might wonder: why not just sell the home and start fresh elsewhere?
Because this house is where we made our life. This is where we laughed, cried, argued, danced in the kitchen, planned holidays, and dreamed aloud. Every wall carries a memory. Every creaky floorboard has a story. Literally, our blood, sweat and tears are in these floors and walls.
Leaving this place would feel like losing him all over again. Plus my parents and a close friend that was part of the “construction crew” have already passed as well. It breaks my heart to think of leaving this place.
This is the last big project we talked about doing together. Completing it is my way of carrying him with me into the next chapter of life. It’s my healing. My purpose. My promise to him.
What You Can Do
If you’ve read this far, thank you. Just being here means you care. If you feel moved to help, here’s how:
- Donate whatever you can. No amount is too small. Even $5 helps.
- Share this campaign with others who might be able to help or spread the word.
- Encourage me with kind words or prayers. Emotional support is just as valuable.
We all go through times when we need to lean on the kindness of others. This is one of those times for me.
I’m willing to accept any amount, big or small. Every dollar matters. Every bit brings me closer not just to a financial goal, but to the emotional goal of turning grief into gratitude.
Where the Funds Will Go (Estimated Breakdown)
To be transparent, here’s how the $500,000 will be used:
| Purpose | Estimated Cost |
| Paying off bills and debts | $80,000 |
| Home remodeling (kitchen, bathrooms, floors, roof) | $150,000 |
| Home addition (expanding living space, guest room, hobby studio) | $200,000 |
| Permits, labor, design fees, and unexpected expenses | $70,000 |
I’ve received estimates and spoken with contractors to ensure these numbers are grounded in reality. As the project progresses, I’ll post updates so you know where your money is going. ADD FACE BOOK PAGE
This Isn’t Just About a House
This is about hope.
It’s about believing that even in loss, there can be new beginnings. That even when someone is gone, their love can keep building through us.
If you’ve ever lost someone you loved, you understand the ache of unfinished plans. This home is my unfinished plan. It’s my way of saying to the world—and to my husband—that the dream lives on.
With Love and Gratitude
To every donor, every supporter, every person reading these words: thank you. You’re giving more than money—you’re giving healing, hope, and help when it’s needed most.
I know there are countless worthy causes out there, and I’m honored that you’ve considered mine. May kindness come back to you in ways you never expected.
With all my heart,
Jordan
Set up Facebook Page and Create GoFundMe Account