Leaving Grief Behind to Find Peace and Hope

Carmen McCue Start Date: Jul 26, 2025 - End Date: Nov 25, 2025
  • Florida, United States of America
  • Taos, NM, United States of America
  • Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
  • Key West, FL, United States of America

My Travel Story

by: Carmen McCue Start Date: Jul 26, 2025 - End Date: Nov 25, 2025
This is my last resort. I never imagined I would be in a position to ask for help from strangers—but here I am, with no pride, no safety net, and nothing left but hope.

Over the past year, I attended 12 funerals—each one a devastating blow. Because of the constant travel to say goodbye to loved ones, I lost my job. I’ve lost my home, my financial stability, and truthfully, a piece of myself. I have no family here in San Antonio. Just two friends, a storage unit with some clothes, and my pet cat—the only being in my life who has ever loved me unconditionally and stayed through everything.

I’ve been caring for two boys while their father, a friend of mine, is deployed. But I need to move out when he returns in December. I’m carrying about $15,000 in credit card debt—mostly from funeral-related travel and trying to stay afloat during the hardest time of my life. I’ve already applied for help on two other websites because I want to be transparent and accountable for my healing journey.

I’ve applied to over 125 jobs and continue to search every day. I’m doing everything I can to rebuild, but the emotional and financial weight is overwhelming.

I also want to be honest about something else: I chose the vacation category for this fundraiser because there’s no category for loss, grief, or survival. This isn’t about luxury or leisure. It’s about finding the strength to keep going.

I’m trying to raise enough to pack my few belongings, take my cat, and leave San Antonio behind. This place holds too much pain. I want to move—hopefully to Florida or wherever healing may find me—and finally start over. I want to breathe again, rebuild my life, and find peace.

I’m not here with ill intent. Just raw truth, emotional pain, and a sliver of hope. I’m working hard to pivot into a new career and reclaim the light in my life. If you can help—even by sharing—please know how much it would mean to me and the little life that still depends on me.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for seeing me.

  • Florida, United States of America
  • Taos, NM, United States of America
  • Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America
  • Key West, FL, United States of America