Grief Multiplied
“Every child deserves to know, be loved by, and be supported by their whole family, especially after losing a parent. They have the right to their history, heritage, and people who love them and can help them feel safe and connected.”
Our grandson lost his father before he even had the chance to know him.
Our 20-year-old son was in a vehicle crash. Two days later, he passed away. Two days after that, he became an organ donor, giving life to others even in the midst of tragedy.
Nothing has been, or will ever be, the same for our family. Each morning, we wake to the weight of that loss. It is a pain that is both physical and emotional, impossible to capture in words. Our hearts are broken. As parents, this is the fear we all carry—the gaping sinkhole in the foundation of life, challenging everything we thought we knew.
Compounding this grief is that we have been unable to maintain our relationship with our two-year-old grandson, who lives just a few miles away. At the time of our son’s death, he had been in an 18-month custody case and estranged from his mother.
Our grandson has lost his father and has been separated from his entire paternal family - through no fault of his own and without any say in the matter. Our son worked hard to keep these relationships alive, and we have always been deeply involved in our grandson’s life. Yet with our son gone, and our grandson too young to speak for himself, neither of their voices can be heard under current law.
Every child deserves the chance to know, be loved by, and be supported by their whole family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more) especially after the loss of a parent.
Our grandson isn’t just losing us. He’s losing stability, love, and a connection to his history, culture, and heritage, on top of losing his parent. Children deserve the family who help them feel safe, cared for, and known.
Since this nightmare began, we have learned that our story is not unique. Across Florida, many children face similar losses: young parents, separated households, and grandparents who provide love and care without being the primary caregivers.
We are calling on our neighbors and our legislators to step up - to protect these family bonds, honor the rights of children and grandparents, and ensure children have all the love and support possible from their family.
Senate Bill 1150 protects children, honors the wishes of parents, and safeguards the bonds critical to a child’s well-being by allowing grandparents to petition for visitation (not custody) so a judge can determine what is in the child’s best interest.
We are all one tragedy away from needing the law to protect these essential relationships.
By emailing or calling legislators and decison-makers, signing the petitions, sharing your story with us, and spreading the word on social media, you can help build the momentum needed to pass this vital law before time runs out.
Thank you for your support.