I want to thank 68 people: friends, a single family member, and my beloved readers for donating to my fundraiser to bury my sister, Stacie Kohn who died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 61. She suffered several life threatening illnesses and her heart just couldn’t take it any longer.
This has been a lot tougher on this old man that I could ever have imagined. With no one to help me, I haven’t been allowed to grieve since her passing on May 17. I have not been able to sit Shiva because of the dozens of phone calls I’ve had to make every day since she died.
I’ve been forced to be a project manager dealing with the coroner, hospital, mortuary, police department, social security, landlord, etc. in order to get final arrangements accomplished.
These 68 are all wonderful people that came to my aid when I was up a creek.
Now, I’m not a bum. I worked my ass off my entire career. Sometimes working 3 gigs at the same time.
But I was 60 when Wall St. crashed and we lost everything. Plus construction was hit harder than any other industry. So finding a job was impossible. It took a few years for construction to return; but by that time, I was in my mid 60’s and unemployable.
I paid my dues. I paid my taxes. I had savings. I took care of my wife and daughter so they never wanted for anything…within reason of course.
And this is how the elderly in 2018 are treated. We make too much social security to get any type of break on anything. We make less than $30K per year. In the eyes of charity, we are rich. Yet they don’t take into account that because we get zero help, we pay the same for everything just as someone making $200K does. No breaks on anything.
We managed to get enough money so that the mortuary will get a big down payment and then we will work out a payment plan.
I have to add that there is a monkey wrench in the works. Stacie’s oldest friend is apparently seriously mentally ill. She sent messages to everyone that donated ranting like a mad person accusing me of terrible things. About my sister. I don’t get it. Some folks just bear the need to ruin other people’s lives. And the bottom line is why would I risk ruining my reputation and face possible legal ramifications over less than $2000?
So this “friend” of Stacie’s, Cathy (aka Cammie Wallon), has accused me of mishandling my sister’s funeral funds. My response to her is: You bitch. It is bad form to attack a family in mourning. My brothers and sisters from the cigar smoking community know that your lies simply do not pass the smell test. Take your hateful, selfish, disgusting words somewhere else. This is about Stacie, not you.
If you folks that donated want me to mow your lawn, roto rooter your toilet, wax your Tesla, or babysit your triplets, I’m there for you.
God bless to all that helped and those that sent their condolences. I will never forget you for the rest of my life.
Please say Kaddish for Stacie.