Having a family means more than just sharing DNA; it also means having a safety net when tragedy strikes.
Gean LeVar of Glendale, Arizona, didn’t have that safety net on the worst day of her life back in January 2021. That day, Gean’s husband of 58 years passed away in their home. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Gean and her husband had been living in conditions so bad, they immediately condemned the house.
With no children or relatives to help her, Gean suddenly found herself homeless while also grappling with the loss of her husband. That’s when a neighbor she barely knew came over and told her, “Don’t worry Gean, we’re going to fix it.”
Carmen Silva and her husband live in a small, three-bedroom home across the street from Gean’s house. The Silvas are a big family with 8 kids, but they didn’t hesitate to make some room for their new “adopted grandma!” Carmen says she always taught her kids to respect their elders, so taking Gean in was a no-brainer. Her sons started sleeping on the couch so that Gean could have her own room, and they welcomed her with open arms.
“It means everything,” Gean said of her new family.
The good news doesn’t end there. Gean’s late husband had served in the U.S. Navy for a few years, so when a nonprofit that helps Arizona veterans and their families heard what happened to Gean, they stepped up to help. Operation Enduring Gratitude gathered more than 200 volunteers to totally renovate Gean’s home.
It took about 18 months to complete, and Gean is over the moon to be back in her own home! Naturally, she’s going to share it with her new family!
What started as a horrible time in Gean’s life ended in the best possible way! Because of the Silva’s kindness, she has a family to rely on for the first time in her life.
Share this story to thank the Silvas and Operation Enduring Gratitude for helping to get Gean’s life back on track.
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