My mom leaves in 2 hours

[korinalacount]

to get his service picked out,she had a bad night,if possible could any of you send her a card,she has read all your very warm responses,I didnt know my step-dad was so well loved,it means a lot,I am worried about her.

Her address is
Korina LaCount
3480 Springnite Drive
Colorado Springs,Colorado
80916

We are trying to figure out how to give her a income and will be calling places today and see if we can get her on SSI. I pray she doesnt have to lose her home because it meant everything to John.

Thanks for listening.
Rachael

 

[connie seabee]

Thank you for your Mom's address, I wanted to send Korina a card.
I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure that she is still in shock. My heart brakes for her.

 

[Jeanie]

I know this stressful time for your Mom, and wish we could do more. She is in my thoughts. Sending hugs
Thank you for the address

 

[Calgon1]

Thanks for the addy. Yes. Getting a card out is the very least we can do ...

 

[JANPEP]

Thanks for the address, I have been wanting to send a card.
Your mom should apply for Socoal Security disability. It dosn't matter how old a person is it what wrong that matters. I got sick at 52 I applied in Oct of that year & started getting disabilty the following Maech. She also has to call Social Security to claim John's death benifit, I didn't know you had to call I thought it was automatic. She can also apply for widows pension. You have to be 60 for widows pension unless you are disabled. I hope this helps.
I lost my husband very suddenly at 48, I was in shock for months. All I could say is what am I going to do now. It took me from April til Nov. to be able to return to work. I couldn't open my mouth to say anything or I would start to bawl. It does get better but it talkes time & alot of support from family & friends. Be sure someone is with her throughout the arrangements & things because she won't remember any of it, or at lest I didn't.
Tell your mom she is in my thoughts & prayers, I wish there was more I could do. My heart goes out to her.

 

[tango55]

Rachael, we had the pleasure of cruising with your parents to Alaska in Sept. 09. What a lovely couple they were! I was also their travel agent at the time, so I have been sending those who asked, her address all weekend. They were very loved on this board - John will be missed.

I pray there is something that can be done income wise for your mom. Jan you had a few good suggestions there - thank you for sharing them. You really do know what she is going through.

Tell her we all wish there was more we could do, but cards are on the way.

Terry

 

[ewheelock]

I am worried about her also. I got a card last night at the store and will send it out today. I was wondering about her finances and if she could get some kind of disability.

What Jan said about keeping Korina surrounded with friends and family is totally the best thing. It has really helped me since my husband died last July.

Losing her home would devistate Korina so I hope there is some way that that won't happen.

Thinking of Korina and her family as they get through this!

Ellen

 

[KathyC]

My dear Rachael,

Korina & John are both loved by this cruise addict family. We all we wish we could do something to help her. Last night was a bad night but unfortunately she is going to have a lot of bad nights before she makes her way thru the grief she is feeling & she is going to need you.

If your mom gets SSI it will take a MINIMUM of 5 months for it to come thru & it is not easy to get. I don't know what the solution is to the house & we don't want her to lose it so I will toss out 1 idea here & perhaps others will have some ideas as well. If there is no way to get her an income & as difficult as it may be, perhaps she could move in with someone on a temporary basis until you can figure things out & temporarily rent the house in order that she not lose it permanently. The key word is TEMPORARY. She has lost John & she shouldn't have to lose her house forever. Everyone that loves her & John will have to put their heads together to work out a plan that is best for her & all of this is going to take time.

All of you need time to adjust to the shock of what has happened. Your mother may think her life is over right now so all of you will have to work to show her that although her life is turned upside down right now, her life isn't over & that John would want her to go on. However, she needs time to grief & I'm certain her grief is going to last for quite some time. We are all different & there are no rules on what is right/wrong when it comes to grieving.

We are all pulling for her to get thru this and for you, Rachael, to have the strength to help her.

 

[ewheelock]

the one thing is that SSI does take a long time but if it is awarded they issue a check from the time that the case was open until it is finalized.

 

[popcorn]

A card will be going out today. It would have gone earlier but there is no mail delivery or pick-up over the weekend from here. But you have all been on my mind all weekend.

There have been some good suggestions put forward by others to help her with all the humps & bumps that Korina will face in the next while. Would she be able to rent out a room to a student or someone else in need?

We had the pleasure of meeting your parents with Terry & enjoyed the visit very much. Please give your Mom a hug from me.

Liz

 

[nieciez]

Oh Rachael our hearts break for all of you....lots of good suggestions above. I know it is going to be VERY difficult for Korina in the days ahead. I wish I lived closer to be more of a comfort to her.

 

[audrey]

thankis for posting and I have already gotten a card in the mail to her and will continue to keep sending her cards letting her know we are here for her.

 

[Whimsy]

Very good advice from Jan and Kathy. Renting that house out might be the best way to keep it until she can find a source of income. This is going to be extremely difficult for your mom but it might be the best solution for the long term goal. You might want to contact local real estate companies and see if they handle rentals. Perhaps someone needs some temporary housing and you might have a good match.

My sister became a widow at 51. I spent almost every day of the first year helping her thru this difficult time. She had a teenage son still at home and she jokes that I should of claimed them on my taxes, they ate here almost every night. She basically shut down for a long time. I gave her time to grieve but after about 6 months I had to force her to start coming out of her grief. Everyone is different but we are strong people so I knew it was time. She hated me I'm sure some days but has always thanked me all these years after for being there and knowing when it was time to make her come back to the real world. It was a hard time for all of us but we all emerged stronger than we were before. Hopefully the same will be true for all of your family.

 

[Karry]

Have no advice to give you; the friends above have given you some good starting points. I am sure it is very difficult to even THINK of these things right now. Just wanted to let you know that your mom and your family are in my prayers. My heart breaks for you all. I was rooting for the Packers yesterday. I said, win one for John and Korina and they did! Hugs to you all.

 

[herb]

thank you for the address.....

JoAnn & Herb

 

[red stripe]

Einstein and I are still in transit, but will contact her as soon as we can.
Please tell her we both are keeping her in our prayers.
red and Einstein.

 

[bostongal]

I will be putting a card in the mail for your Mom.

Please encourage her to file for SSDI. It is difficult to get, took me 4 years to get approved - hopefully it will go much much quicker for her. The single most important piece of advice I can give her is to hire an attorney who specializes in SS filings as they will handle all of the paperwork. Also have her look into any kind of state disability program to bridge the gap while she goes through the process.

Jan had some great information for you to pass along. I hope that some of this helps.

I am keeping Korina in my heart and prayers.

Meg

 

[reggae]

Thanks for sharing the address, I will be sending something, too.

 

[Mgram]

Rachael, thank you for sharing the address and and keeping us informed. John and you children were/are her world and we all know of her health issues, so there are many things that will have to be considered. You have been given excellent advice above, so I hope something will be able to be put into place soon.

I will get a card out to her tomorrow. Please accept my most sincere condolences.

Pat Wood/Mgram

 

[popcorn]

How are the dogs doing? They will be in mourning also, so expect odd behaviour from them. Perhaps let them lie on a shirt or jacket of John's.

Liz