Widowed man caring for daughter, grandson
It has been five years since this man's wife died from cancer, and four years since his grown daughter was in a car crash and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Retired, he lives alone with his 8-year-old grandson and his daughter, the boy's mother, who cannot walk without assistance.
"She can't live on her own, needs a lot of help doing just about everything," the man said. "It's a lot like having two little kids in the house."
It's particularly hard this holiday season, he said, because his retirement savings were drained by his wife's illness and his daughter's needs after the crash.
He worked as an auto mechanic for years. Life was good, he said.
"We were never rich, but we were OK," the grandfather said.
His grandson's father was never in the picture.
"He didn't want a child, told my daughter to get rid of it," the grandpa said. "She couldn't do that. She asked us for help. We said, 'Of course.' My wife and I, we felt it's our duty."
The man said it was a blessing, having his daughter and her son around when his wife became ill. It's still a blessing, he said, but it's also a challenge.
His daughter receives a disability benefit of several hundred dollars a month, but much of that goes to pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance.
The man's own health isn't good. He has a heart condition that is beginning to slow him down, more and more. He worries about his child and grandchild.
His only income comes from social security. He said he has to budget very carefully, to make it cover his property taxes and other household bills.
"I'm thinking about selling the house, but it's old and needs a lot of repairs I haven't been able to afford. Plus, I need a place for the three of us," he said.
He said he has never asked for help like this before, but there just isn't anything left for a special holiday meal or to buy a gift or two for "the kids."
"I thought about trying to bake some cookies with my grandson, like my wife would have, but I'm embarrassed to say, I didn't have the money to buy the ingredients at the market," he said.
With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for folks like this - people left jobless, homeless or who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.
Last year, our generous readers' donations allowed us to assist thousands of families in need.
Each day until Christmas, we will share the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All.
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