I am lucky – I grew up with two relatively healthy parents. It wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that my first parent became ill. Not all children have the time with their parents that I have been granted. And this is where Let There Be Mom steps in.
Let There Be Mom was created to help moms when they, or their child’s father, are diagnosed with a life threatening illness by preserving the legacy of the ailing parent.
I learned about Let There Be Mom through following Brian’s story on CaringBridge. Brian was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 and passed away in June of 2009. Prior to his passing, his high school friends were contacted asking us to write letters of some of our favorite memories with Brian. These letters would then be bound into a book and presented to his wife and children. Let There Be Mom also worked with the family to portraits taken and to preserve Brian’s thumb print as a charm. When I saw his wife wearing one of the charms at his memorial service, I can honestly say that it took my breath away.
I am not a mom yet, but I can comprehend the amazing gift this group and its volunteers give to these families already facing so much loss. At the current time, Let There Be Mom helps families in and around Greenville, SC. They are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and raise funds through local events and donations. They do have the vision to expand nationwide. I am hopeful that they realize this vision, because I truly feel they are providing something enduring to these families.
I encourage you to look at their site and read the stories of the Let There Be Mom families. Are you aware of any other organizations with a similar mission? If so, please provide their information – I would love to find out more about their work.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This is wonderful! I’m so glad you brought it to my attention, Lisa!
It’s such a great organization – I hope that they go national because I think this is a need that sometimes gets overlooked.