I am writing to help a virtual stranger (or should I say virtual friend?), one who I believe needs a little boost in life today. A lovely lady named Kirsten Stensaas Jackson (look her up on Facebook!) and her children have recently suffered a major loss – her husband died suddenly of a heart attack in the middle of the night.
Most of her 400+ Facebook friends could do no more than offer a few comforting words here and there, or to let her know they were reading her “self assessment” posts she makes now and then to keep her friends and family apprised of her family’s situation. Kirsten has been a stay-at-home (and home-schooling) mother and part time drama teacher. Her husband, Joe, was a teacher and youth pastor, and sole income provider. Sadly, he did not have life insurance.
Because Kirsten and Joe were so centered on family, they live in a remote area – on a farm – where they could build a family oasis and have plenty of room and shelter for their animals. This was a positive (and really still is) while Joe was alive – they spent hours wandering through the property or surrounding woods and tending to the animals. Now that Kirsten is alone with the children, it makes things more difficult – she’s remote and alone, and feels even more so out there. Kirsten’s many family members and friends (both real-life and Facebook) banded together to support her spiritually, emotionally, and financially. They were able to not only donate enough money and food to get her through a few months in order to allow her to stay home and heal with her children, but also Christmas gifts to help keep things fun during the holidays. Through it all, Kirsten has posted her thoughts and feelings on Facebook. Her natural vibrancy shows through her sadness, and despite the surmounting odds, she and her children seem to be thriving.
She took an emotional self-assessment a few times. In one of the most recent, she realized that while she was functioning and okay, she was also depressed and needed to find her way out of it. She listed several ideas for herself – based on something she’d written long before she knew what kind of an emotional journey she’d be on at this point in her life. And she listened and responded as those of us reading told her our own ideas and our own ways of coping with depression. Despite her depression, and because of her family, she chose to focus mostly on the positive happenings. She posted little tidbits that let us all know they were doing okay – sad, lonely for Joe, but okay.
And then just the other day, she was driving along with her daughter in the vehicle. The driver of an oncoming pickup truck didn’t bother stopping at his stop sign, and crashed into Kirsten’s vehicle. Thankfully Kirsten and her family were okay. Shaken badly, vehicle destroyed … but okay.
Which brings us to why I am writing today.
Kirsten has suffered much loss and many setbacks in the last couple of months. She already has a seemingly insurmountable pile of obstacles to overcome, just in taking care of her family. And now to add this on top of the pile is adding insult to injury. We are hoping you, or maybe a collection of dealerships in the area, can help her. Kirsten herself is not asking for handouts or help. We are asking FOR her. We know she WILL overcome the mountains of obstacles … we’d just like to make it a little easier. And we are asking for your help.
Email the.devyl.gyrl@gmail.com and I will put you in touch with the women who are trying so hard to help Kirsten!
Thank you for your time!
