Help Caroline raise money

A few months ago my family and I unexpectedly lost my dad. 

My dad was one of the funniest people I have ever known, he made friends everywhere he went, and had one of the most charismatic personalities we are all so blessed to have known. 

Unfortunately, my dad struggled with addiction, and growing up this was something that was very hard for me to understand. His alcoholism affected a lot of years of memories, and moments that I wish I could have experienced with him. 

When I was a kid my dad was my best friend, the person I went to for everything. Every single weekend he had an itinerary of fun things planned for us, and never fell short of meeting my unreasonably high expectations. My childhood was filled with Hannah Montana concerts, Boston sports, board games, baking competitions, and the best cook I've ever known, but as time passed addiction and his personal hardships affected his ability to be present.

Instead of remembering what the disease did to my dad, I remember him for the qualities he had underneath it all: his thoughtfulness, his generous heart, and his gigantic personality. 

I decided to run for the Herren Project as this is a foundation that supports individuals struggling with addiction, as well as offering support to families. Grieving a loved one with an addiction comes with a lot of emotions, and sometimes a grief like this can feel isolating. The Herren Project aims to make you feel less alone by offering grief support to parents who have lost a loved one, or children who have lost a parent in similar ways.

There’s so much I wish I could have done with my dad, there are so many more years of memories I intended to make with him, and above anything I never truly lost hope that he would beat his addiction. 

I see my dad in so many things: my grandma’s ability to make you feel at home the second you enter her house, my grandpa’s ability to make conversation with everyone and anyone, my aunt’s unwavering love, my cousins sense of adventure, and my sense of humor, which I try to maintain even in the days I don’t feel strong enough to go on without him. 
I believe God has given me a lot of strength to navigate hardships I’ve encountered in my life, and the biggest one of all has been seeing a terrible disease consume someone you love so much. Anything I can do to raise awareness, and support individuals struggling with hardships my dad has faced is something I would like to continue to do, and the Herren Project seemed like a way to start.

Alcoholism affects the lives of so many people, it's not always the image you have in your head of what addiction may appear to be, but it's real fathers, and sons of so many. 
I love you dad. It's almost impossible to articulate the insurmountable pain and sadness we feel everyday, and how much we miss you. I pray everyday you are at peace, no longer suffering, and I hope Heaven is filled with really big fish (and maybe up there God can give you a bigger attention span so you can actually catch one <3)

If you are able to donate, and knew my dad, or of him, please share a story in the message section :)