My name is Carlee, Marcus and Ladonna daughter. Eight months ago, my dad—the strongest man I’ve ever known—was told he has stage-4 esophageal cancer that has spread everywhere. In those eight months he’s lost 90 pounds and most of the tomorrows he planned to give my mom, but the thing that hurts him worse than the cancer itself is the fear of leaving her behind.
Every Friday night of my life, Dad walked through the door with one red rose for Mom, pulled her close like they were still teenagers, and danced her around our living room to “their song” while my brothers and I pretended to groan and secretly soaked it in. That dance is fading now, and all Dad wants before he goes is to know Mom will never stop being loved that fiercely.
So I’m promising him—along with my brothers and our whole family—that Mom will never be alone. We’ll keep her table full, her phone ringing at 2 a.m., her porch swing moving, and a fresh red rose waiting every single Friday until she’s dancing with him again in heaven.
Any gift you give lifts the financial weight so my parents can spend whatever time is left holding hands, laughing through tears, and loving each other out loud without a single worry stealing their joy. Please help me give my dad the peace he’s praying for: knowing his LaDonna will be okay. From the little girl who learned what real love looks like by watching Mom and Dad… thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Carlee
Every Friday night of my life, Dad walked through the door with one red rose for Mom, pulled her close like they were still teenagers, and danced her around our living room to “their song” while my brothers and I pretended to groan and secretly soaked it in. That dance is fading now, and all Dad wants before he goes is to know Mom will never stop being loved that fiercely.
So I’m promising him—along with my brothers and our whole family—that Mom will never be alone. We’ll keep her table full, her phone ringing at 2 a.m., her porch swing moving, and a fresh red rose waiting every single Friday until she’s dancing with him again in heaven.
Any gift you give lifts the financial weight so my parents can spend whatever time is left holding hands, laughing through tears, and loving each other out loud without a single worry stealing their joy. Please help me give my dad the peace he’s praying for: knowing his LaDonna will be okay. From the little girl who learned what real love looks like by watching Mom and Dad… thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Carlee
