So here’s some clarification on why I put a “Support Annie” button up on the site:
WHAT I’M DOING
I’m receiving Social Security, and I’m grateful. But life is — life. One of the expenses this time around is boarding our pets. Andy has started a new job and will be traveling for 3-4 days at a time, we need to establish a doggie day care for the days she’s here, and doggy (and 3-cat) boarding situations for when she’s on the road. If any of you have pets, you know this is expensive. I swear I’ve spent more on pet meds this past year than I have on me (out of pocket)
Wait, didn’t you just go to Hawaii?
Yes, I did, thank you! After Gerry died and I almost died from severe sepsis, I promised myself one nice thing for 2019. So I planned the trip and took my friend Kathleen (she’s been amazing at running ModeKnit Yarn single handedly) and paid for it, bit by bit, over the last year. And, FWIW, I think I got a bargain of $5,000 for 2 weeks, including air fare and breakfasts. So, yes, that was an expense and I cop to it. Taking care of the pets while I’m in the hospital for the next 4-6 weeks (with future long-term procedures like Stem Cell Transplant on the horizon) will cost much more than our Hawaii interlude did. And I’m really happy to have the pics of Kaua’i to look back on.
I’m not going through GoFundMe
I disagree with GFM’s policy of taking 5% of each donation, and I don’t like publicizing the total amount donated. I think it’s too personal, and it’s no one’s business. If the number’s too low, we look pathetic. Too high and we look like scammers. It’s just – not my thing.
I’m not going to list support amounts
It may be, as GoFundMe assures me, that this kind of gift publicity increases the chances that someone else will support us, but I just find it too private.
I’m a believer in Maimonides’ Eight Levels of Charity
When the giver and receiver don’t know each other, Charity is at its purest. Well, you know me, and I’ll know who you are, but we can leave it to end there, a mixing of your grace with our gratitude. Thank you.
I’m not going to apologize for asking.
When Gerry was diagnosed 13 years ago we would NEVER have gotten through the year (more like 5 years!) without the help of folks who wanted us to be able to pay for food and heating and gas.
I like to think that our gratitude was obvious and open and right there for all to see, but there were a very few folks who felt it was important to tell me that they thought I was engaging in some scam and that Gerry wasn’t actually ill at all. Those comments hurt me worse than just about anything I’ve ever experienced, and it makes me hesitant to ask for help. But here I am. I’m that scared. And perhaps the internet is a kinder place than it was then…
If you decide that you’d like to help us weather this unexpected storm, I am grateful and that is wonderful. But please know that if you send us some money, you’ll have my gratitude, but I won’t ask permission on how I can spend it.
Right now my goal is to get the pets cared for so that Andy can FINALLY take a step toward their own life after being my sole caregiver for over a year. Thank you, Andy. And, of course, I want to see Max graduate from UM Morris in June.