On July 15, 2026, two little girls lost their daddy. And I lost my only son.

My name is Kandie, and I'm raising Austin's daughters, Marcella, 10, and Lily, 5, here in Clinton, Tennessee.

Our lives changed that day in ways we're still trying to understand. Lily is only five. She still sleeps with a teddy bear her daddy made for her and struggles to understand why he isn't coming home. Marcella is older and understands more, but I see how much she misses him too.

Before Austin died, we had plans for him to move into the upstairs part of our home. He was going to help with the household expenses, and I was going to continue helping him with the girls. We were looking forward to having him close and building a future together.

We never got that chance. Now I'm doing everything I can to keep life steady for his girls. They've already lost something no child should have to lose. I don't want them to lose the security of their home and the familiar things that help them feel safe, too.

That's why I've started this Help Me Bounce campaign.

We're asking for help with our mortgage and utilities so Marcella and Lily can continue growing up in the home they know. Donations through Help Me Bounce go directly toward our mortgage company or utility provider, rather than being paid to me.

Austin was funny, creative, and loved music. He was a carpenter who could build just about anything, and he was so much more than the circumstances of his death. I want his girls to grow up knowing all those wonderful things about their daddy.

Nothing can bring Austin back. But with a little help, I can keep giving his girls the love, security, and stability they need while we learn how to live without him. If you're able to donate, thank you. And if you can't, sharing our story with someone who might be able to help would mean just as much.

Thank you for remembering Austin and caring about his girls. Kandie