Help Me, Please
Hi everyone.

So, as of a few hours ago, my father died.

Needless to say, the whole family is in a bit of shock as this came completely out of the blue, totally unexpected. I've booked a trip back to NZ, but of course, given it's a) flying all the way to kiwiland, and b) last minute (leave first thing saturday morning ... tomorrow would have meant selling my first-born child, and given how I am not planning on having children ... well, you can see how expensive that would make that) it's made things requiring a chunk of cash.

A friend has fronted me the money, wonderful incredible friend that she is, but her credit card will require payment. So, I am wondering, can I please ask anyone and everyone to please donate below? Any amount at all will help, and I totally mean that.

Please.

Thanks so much.

Do feel free to post a link to this on your blog if you feel so inclined, I would appreciate it more than words can say.

I'll arrive back in Chicago around midnight on Sunday night, the 11th of January.

(90 comments) - (Post a new comment)

	condolences xxxevilgrinxxxgallery.wordpress.com 2009-01-02 04:03 pm UTC (link)
	My deepest condolences on the loss of your dad. A few bucks tossed in, I wish it was more *hug* E. (Reply to this)

	A Little Bit to Help (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 04:15 pm UTC (link)
	Sarah: I hold you and your family in the Light, and I've sent something through the Paypal link. Travel safe. Mustang Bobby (Reply to this)

	bekitty 2009-01-02 04:23 pm UTC (link)
	Kia kaha, Sarah. (Reply to this)

	artemiswinter 2009-01-02 04:31 pm UTC (link)
	I'm so sorry, Sarah. (Reply to this)

infamousqbert 2009-01-02 04:34 pm UTC (link)

i'm so sorry. please accept my tiny donation and any comfort you can take from knowing that someone else has been there, too. as i told wolfrum, i know we don't really know each other, but you should feel free to cry/bitch to me if you need it. no one can tell you how to make it easier, but i do understand the process a little better than the average person. http://infamousqbert.wordpress.com (Reply to this)

	ginmar 2009-01-02 05:02 pm UTC (link)
	Done and done. I'm so sorry. (Reply to this)

	pocochina 2009-01-02 05:06 pm UTC (link)
	Put in a little, and sending all my sympathy. I'm so sorry. (Reply to this)

	joasakura 2009-01-02 05:40 pm UTC (link)
	oh, gods, I just saw this at Shakes. I am so sorry, hon. (Reply to this)

	May peace go with him (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 05:45 pm UTC (link)
	I am so sorry Sarah. Paypal heading your way. juliemania (Reply to this)

	ms_xeno 2009-01-02 05:48 pm UTC (link)
	Sorry to hear about your loss, Sweetie. Sorry that all I can offer today is condolences. :( (Reply to this)

	My sincere condolences (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 05:48 pm UTC (link)
	I'm so sorry I couldn't do more but I added what I could to the pot. xo Faith (Reply to this)

	sthomson06 2009-01-02 07:24 pm UTC (link)
	This has got to be incredibly difficult. I will keep you in my thoughts over the coming days. (Reply to this)

	merry_fitzmas 2009-01-02 07:42 pm UTC (link)
	saw the link at Shakesville and am linking. So sorry for your loss - I hope my few bucks quickly multiplies. (Reply to this)

	From togolosh (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 08:18 pm UTC (link)
	Done. I hope things go as smoothly as possible. Remember that people who've never met you care about you. (((hug))) (Reply to this)

	I'm so sorry (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 08:31 pm UTC (link)
	Hi Sarah, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. This kind sudden loss is world-shattering. My dad died suddenly in Vancouver while I was living in New York about 18 months ago. My heart goes out to you and your family. Yours, Lindsay (Majikthise) (Reply to this)

	Barbara_K (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 08:36 pm UTC (link)
	Followed the link from Shakesville and sent a bit in through PayPal - I'm sorry for your loss, and wish you a safe trip. (Reply to this)

Our Sincere Condolences fennec 2009-01-02 09:12 pm UTC (link)

Sarah, We don't know each other, but I always look forward to seeing what you have to say over at Shakesville (where I speak up only very occasionally as Hornet), and I'm grateful that you take the time to share your thoughts with us all. My husband and I have both lost parents in the past year, and we are so very sorry for your loss. We don't have much, but I slipped a twenty in the kitty for you, and am glad to help ease your burden in any way I can. We wish you and your family all the best, and may you find comfort and peace in each others company. (Reply to this)

Condolences (Anonymous) 2009-01-02 10:07 pm UTC (link)

I just saw the post on Shakesville. I am very sorry for your loss, Sarah. Just as so many others, I recently lost a close family member myself, while I was on a different continent (in the US, and my family lives in Germany) Although it wasn't unexpected, it still hit hard. I hope going home makes it a bit easier to say goodbye. My donation is small, but I can't afford more than that right now, sorry. Have a safe flight Bettina (Reply to this)

	nwhiker 2009-01-02 10:10 pm UTC (link)
	Sarah, I"m so so sorry, I just read about your dad on Shakesville. As someone whose family is far flung... I do understand. My dad died a few years back days after I got back from visiting him.. I sent a few pennies, and I hope it helps. You're in my thoughts. (Reply to this)

	furikudanji 2009-01-02 11:26 pm UTC (link)
	I am so sorry for your loss. I sent you some money, and I send you also my strength and good wishes. I'm "Katya" on Shakesville, by the way, (Reply to this)

(Anonymous) 2009-01-02 11:46 pm UTC (link)

Sarah, our heartfelt sympathies to you. We know the devastation of a sudden loss as we just experienced the loss of a loved one the week before Christmas. Have a safe trip home, it will be a long and difficult one. Try not to think of what you have lost, but embrace all you have gained from your father and the impact he has had on your life to help ease the sorrow. Friends of Amy, Jim and Alice Chin (Reply to this)

	Donated! (Anonymous) 2009-01-03 12:10 am UTC (link)
	I donated $5. Not much, but I hope it helps. ~ http://www.kobrascorner.com (Reply to this)

	Good luck plattypusofdoom 2009-01-03 12:16 am UTC (link)
	$5 chipped in from a fellow student. Good luck, and my sympathies. (Reply to this)

	smadin-from-Shakesville chipping in greyhame 2009-01-03 12:31 am UTC (link)
	I'm so sorry for your loss. I gave a little, hope it helps. (Reply to this)

Backwards - your solution! (Anonymous) 2009-01-03 01:22 am UTC (link)

...would have meant selling my first-born child, and given how I am not planning on having children ... Frankly I think you've stumbled onto the solution. If you are not planning to have children, then your uterus is available for other uses. You can pledge your firstborn and act as a surrogate mother for a couple who are unable to have a baby (usually with their egg and sperm - this is common in cases where the woman has a defect in her uterus but has functioning ovaries). I'm no expert, but I have friends who've done this for that very reason. The tricky part is how to sell future space in your uterus and be paid for it today - there is no existing futures market for uterus space. I'd look in adoption or parenting magazines or adoption web sites, or search on google - you might even find a personal ad from a couple who is looking for a surrogate. You call them and tell them you want an advance - US$3,000 should cover your travel costs, and you sign a contract commiting to a date where you will be impregnated (artificially of course). Ta da. Problem solved. And, you can make a lot more the $3k - I'm pretty sure they pay as high as $100k for this in the US, the $3,000 is just an advance (tell them its a security deposit on your uterus!). Plus - now this part is not a joke - you really get to help a loving couple who desperately want to have a baby, of their own - and it will be there baby since its their fertilized egg (or is it fertilised). Bye! Jordan. (Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: Backwards - your solution! (Anonymous) 2009-01-03 02:32 am UTC (link)

Except it's a) illegal in most parts of the world b) unethical. Think about it, there's a huge biological/emotional bond between a mother and her child, even if the child is only "renting" the space c) a huge encumbrance, especially in the later months d) also surrounded by a social stigma. She'd probably have to hide away as soon as it becomes obvious And now, even if your post was meant as a joke, it's in extremely poor taste... (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Backwards - your solution! - (Anonymous), 2009-01-03 03:54 am UTC

Re: Backwards - your solution! - (Anonymous), 2009-01-03 02:20 pm UTC

Re: Backwards - your solution! - burnout_ohio, 2009-01-07 12:31 am UTC

Re: Backwards - your solution! - (Anonymous), 2009-01-20 09:56 am UTC

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