We live in a world connected through technology. People we might otherwise never have the pleasure of meeting, we connect with via social media, their blogs, through Yahoo or Google Groups, or other forums. The internet connects each of us in such a way that cyber-friends become extended family members.
Bloggers are no different. We may each have our own style of blogging, different niches, different opinions – but when one of us is hurting, we all rally together and support each other in any way that we can.
I come to you today with tears in my eyes. The rain coming down outside is akin to the tears that three children are shedding at this very moment. Their lives undeniably and forever changed by the actions of a man who needed serious psychological help and did not receive the help he needed in time.
On December 5, 2013, Christine Keith of Adventures of a Thrifty Mama, lost her life at the hands of her estranged husband, Randy Keith. He shot and killed her and then turned the gun on her 14-year-old son, Isaac Miller, and then proceeded to shoot himself in a double murder-suicide. The three children that Christine and Randy have together were spending the evening at the home of their grandparents.
So it is with deep sadness that we say goodbye to Christine. She offered such wonderful posts on her blog about saving money and how to recycle and reuse things that you might already have on hand. I do hope that her blog will remain up so that her advice and tips can live on through her words.
A group of bloggers have joined forces and set up a memorial fund for Christine’s three children – Skyler, Lexi and Oakley – shown above. The children are in desperate need of clothing and toiletries, as no one is allowed in the home to retrieve their belongings. Please remember, that Christmas is just 16 days away.
Skyler wears a boy’s size 8 (and prefers to wear sweatpants). Lexi is a girl’s size 6 and Oakley is a boy’s size 4. The children have artificial coloring sensitivities, so in lieu of sending food, we suggest sending a Kroger or a Meijer gift card so that they can buy the items that they need.
Christmas gifts and clothing for the children can be mailed to the following:
Keith Children
C/O Ann Merrifield
1504 Wintercrest
East Lansing, MI 48823
Chris took care of her four children at home and worked part-time teaching dance/exercise classes at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing. The church has set up a memorial fund here where you can make a donation to the family. In addition, the blogosphere has also set up a fundraising event where you can make a donation as well. They are looking to buy items that the children and the grandparents will need, as well as to offer monetary assistance for the burial of Chris and her son.
If you cannot give help via a monetary donation or gift card donation – please consider sharing this post with your friends and family. These three children – along with the countless other children who have lost parents due to domestic violence – need the love and assistance that each of us can offer, in whatever way we can offer it.
Every day, 4 women are killed in the United States due to domestic violence. If you are a victim of domestic violence, there IS help available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and you can visit their website for an abundance of information and help or visit this International Domestic Violence Resource Guide if you live outside the United States.
May God Bless You and keep you safe. Rest in peace Christine and Isaac. You will not be forgotten.
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This makes me so very sad :(. I didn't know Christine personally, but I have read her blog several times. I've been a victim of abuse, it's very hard to get away. It's scarey when you do get away even, cause you don't know what they might try to do because they are so unstable. I don't know if I can do much, but I will share this post far and wide. If I can come up with some clothes, they may be after Christmas but I will send them. 🙁 I'm speechless…
I know exactly how you feel Dawn. I was in an abusive relationship as well. Mine; however, had a happy ending of sorts. It took my leaving and taking our child out of state, but my (then) boyfriend realized that he had a problem and got the medical help that he needed. He found out that he suffered from panic/anxiety attacks and that he had borderline bipolar issues. With the proper medications he became a completely different person – as though someone had flipped a switch. I'm happy to say that we've been together now for going on 19 years, and have two beautiful children together. Not everyone gets the *happy ending* that I've received though, and I continually count my blessings that things turned out the way that they did for our family. Not everyone is so fortunate.
This is so terrible about what happened to Cristine at 37 years old! How could this man kill her and her son! Thank God the other children were not at home because he could have harmed them. I feel so sorry for what happened to her! I will be praying for her and her family!! Also, thank you so much for the e-card! It was such a nice card to receive! Thanks for putting the links in for how I can help this family!
I know exactly how you feel, Karen. I have not stopped crying all day. You are most welcome for the links – if they reach individuals who are in a position to help out monetarily or via clothing donations – then I'll be pleased. You are welcome for the e-card as well … thank YOU for being such a wonderfully loyal commenter!
You are so welcome! I really enjoyed the caring e-card! To have a tragedy like this happen to a mother right before the Holidays is so heartbreaking!! I will pray for these children that are left without a Mother and a Father!