I cannot help but feel a mixture of emotions. The obvious are the looming reminders of July 22nd and all that date means to me, our children, our Team, and Board Members. I remember, in those early years after we lost Sugar Bear, this constant state of feeling overwhelmed. As a solo parent, professor, and new widow, I always felt like I was never going to catch up and there was never enough time in the day to do everything. Even with my parents and the best network of friends, it was a lot! I constantly worried about our children and the toll this was all going to have on them. There were days I could not even breathe with all the responsibility now thrust onto me and the intense grief I was navigating.
Sixteen years later, life is looking better, and although it is more manageable and I still miss Sugar Bear (and always will), I remain incredibly busy. However, the kids, now young adults, are well and thriving! I am equally blessed to still have my incredible friend group, parents, and other new blessings. The opportunity to give back in Sugar Bear’s honor saved me! It gave me a purpose outside of my most favorite role… motherhood, but it has also enabled me to continue Sugar Bear’s devotion to service. And his legacy lives on in all that we do and through our children. All of this now provides a sense of comfort to me, even though my schedule has never slowed down. Life is busy, but it is a "good busy," as I always say, and it no longer feels as daunting and as if I am simply completing a necessary task.
Our work with the Sugar Bear Foundation has meaning, purpose, and the work is necessary. The work we are doing is helping my fellow spouses and children reclaim their lives after loss. No words will ever be able to accurately describe the pain and emotions that accompany that loss. There is no timeline to deal with it, and everyone truly grieves differently. It can have financial effects and, of course, impact one’s mental health. Children’s learning and development can understandably be affected, and it can change the trajectory of a family’s existence. Our Team knows and gets it! We are working to provide an easier path, and we do so in honor of Sugar Bear! As such, please consider making a donation and/or sharing our mission this July 22nd. We would be most grateful, as would the families we serve.
Thank you to our friends from Veterans United Foundation for their recent grant and continued support of our mission. They have been a real blessing to us and have made an impact on our program offerings. So grateful!
To the families we serve, please check out our latest updates. We also ask you, if you have not already completed our latest survey, contact Admin@TheSugarBearFoundation.org for that link. These surveys help us best develop our programs and partnerships. For our spouses, we have some upcoming virtual events, and both will focus on health, wellness, resources, connections, and camaraderie. We know you are busy, especially during the summer, so feel free to just drop in for a bit and simply say hello.
We are also excited to share our new Resource Guides. Our first offering is our Educational Resource Guide, which provides all of our programming information and additional resources compiled into a single PDF. This is all part of our goal of assisting our families in a way that we know is impactful, but best meets their needs. More of these guides are on the horizon.
Finally, a reminder of all of our programming offerings to help families with their educational, career, financial, and wellness endeavors. Families can always make an appointment with our Financial and Resource Counselor, Erica Brophy, to discuss these opportunities, seek new resources, or get connected with our other Team members or partners. We know a family’s needs evolve, and we want to help and stand ready to do so. Please reach out!
As always, thank you for the opportunity to give back in honor of my hero, the heroes on our Honor Wall, and the families who have given their all! Thank you to our Team, our Sponsors, and our many wonderful friends who help share our mission. I am beyond grateful.
Thank you,
Jennifer Carazo
Gold Star Wife/President
