Sad news from WavyMermaidy

[Mernation]

Hello everyone, this has already been posted on facebook and shared publicly so I just wanted to pass it along to all of you, with whom I know that Mermaid Traci (Wavy Mermaidy) has been friends with on this website.

Unfortunately, late last week her amazing husband and dedicated mertender unexpectedly passed away. It was their 6th wedding anniversary and a shock to everyone. We had the pleasure of working with the two of them many times and are beyond sad for her. She is needing all of your positive thoughts and energy right now!

We have been informed of a "Booster" campaign to raise funds for her during this time and thought we would share it here. I'll post the text below. Of course, money is tight for everyone and I know that she is thankful for kind words and good thoughts just as much!

Thank you all for being such a supportive community and I know that Traci will be moved to know you are all thinking of her.

Text from Booster campaign

"Our dear friend, Mermaid Traci Gregory Gardellis unexpectedly lost her husband Ken to a heart attack. This happened on Halloween which was also their 6th wedding anniversary. Besides the pain of the loss of her soulmate she is also having to deal with the panic and practical aspect of losing all his disability income. Because she is under the age of 62, the government says she is too young to recieve any of his income. Traci is a big supporter and volunteer of our local waterways and sea life. In order to raise funds to help Mermaid Traci, my 10 year old daughter Mermaid Coralina (Alexia) has designed these beautifully artistic, 100% cotton tshirts in memory of Mertender Ken. All profits will go directly to Traci. You may buy a tshirt, make a donation or both, anything will be greatly appreciated! Thank-you, Mermaid Marina (Andrea)"

https://www.booster.com/ug-14149681002156222

[PearlieMae]

Done.

[MerEmma]

Oh my gosh, what terrible news. Traci, I'm so so sorry for you. I wish you the absolute best with everything. <3

[MermaidMyrthe]

I am so sorry for you. Lots of luck and kisses, especially now.

[Mermaid Galene]

So sad. I bought a shirt.

[Mermaid Lyra]

Sending my love <3
I also got a shirt. If there is anything else we can do as a community I'm in to help

[WavyMermaidy]

Thank you all so much...it means so much to have support, which I have in spades and feel so lucky and blessed for that, and to see some of that coming out of the mer community is just so inspiring and humbling to me. My husband Ken was really and truly my soul mate, the best friend and mer-tender a mermaid could ask for, and I'm so desperately heartbroken. Every reality I've known for the last 11 years, the last 6 of those in marriage, is shattered in pieces on the ground. I just hope he can see what amazing people I have looking out for me.

This t-shirt idea was that of a friend of mine and her 10year old daughter whom my husband adored...all in addition to spending the day after his passing with me and cooking me food and continuing to check up on me. And the team at MerNation...sigh, there are no words. They are the most amazing trio of people that have absolutely been there for me through some ups and downs, and I'm so grateful to have connected with them.

From the many scattered pieces of my heart, this mermaid has many, many thanks to all of you. Make sure to always, always say I love you and never go to bed angry, as cliche as it sounds. You never know when you'll wake up and lose everything.

[Tasha Mermaid]

Oh my I am so so terribly sorry, I know I do not know you personally but I just wanted to send my thoughts to you, my heart breakes for you, a loss like this is never easy.
May you find some comfort in the memories you shared and know we are all here for you.
The biggest watery hugs and bubble kisses go out to you right now.
Stay safe xoxo

[New York Mermaid]

oh my goodness :( im so very sorry my heart goes out to you my dear. you have my full support.

[deepblue]

I can't even imagine what you're going through. My thoughts are with you, sending much love your way.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

I'll be praying for the Lord to heal your heart completely. It's unimaginable right now what you're feeling. But I believe He can put those millions of pieces back together for you. Much love and many blessings to my sweet sister. I'll be sure to buy a shirt when I can. If you need a listening ear or a message of encouragement, please let me know. You cannot possibly bother me. <3

[Talia]

I am so so sorry for your loss! I cannot even imagine what you are going through, if I lost my husband I would not know what to do with my life.
I will keep you in my thoughts. Hugs.

I tried to buy a t-shirt, but it won't let me write an international address. Someone let me know if that changes.

[WavyMermaidy]

Thank you so much everyone for all the support. It's been so rough, and now I'm having to sort through music to play at his funeral and it's just heartbreaking. I've been sitting here just sobbing for a while now.

My wonderful friend and spiritual teacher that is going to be conducting the service for my husband wrote a very moving poem for him that I wanted to share:

Mertender
A mertender has fallen
and all the merfolk sing
for the loss of this mertender
is a very heavy thing....
They sing him softly on his way,
for he is sailing west
They wish him blessed Journey
and a blissful Winter’s rest.
But a single Mermaid fair
treads the gentle sunlit sea
spilling tears into an ocean
asking “please do not leave me -
I never got to say goodbye
and I fear my heart won’t mend
What shall I do without you?
Who will this mermaid tend?”
Her tears joined with the waters
of the mighty sea between
and stirred the heart to action
of the kindly merfolk Queen
“My daughter,
if he could console you,
you know what he would say –
He would never leave you,
if only he could stay.
But go he must, and you will join him
on some future day
until then, this I offer
to help you find your way:
Look for him in tidepools
and in the glistening sea
on sandy shores and swimming pools
and there he’ll surely be
For a love like yours is timeless
He will never leave your side
As long as you remember
He’ll be there on every tide
And every time a merfolk spills
in the sea a salty tear
their partner thus receives a kiss
and their voice they plainly hear
So sing your song to your beloved
and with the ocean spray
perk up your ears and you may hear
your beloved say
Swim on, my lovely mermaid
So I may watch your dance
To watch you swim and sing and play
always leaves me so entranced
Have no regrets, my love
for we shall meet anew
I am your faithful mertender
and I will always be with you.

[Lotus the Mermaid]

Thank you so much everyone for all the support. It's been so rough, and now I'm having to sort through music to play at his funeral and it's just heartbreaking. I've been sitting here just sobbing for a while now.

My wonderful friend and spiritual teacher that is going to be conducting the service for my husband wrote a very moving poem for him that I wanted to share:

Mertender
A mertender has fallen
and all the merfolk sing
for the loss of this mertender
is a very heavy thing....
They sing him softly on his way,
for he is sailing west
They wish him blessed Journey
and a blissful Winter’s rest.
But a single Mermaid fair
treads the gentle sunlit sea
spilling tears into an ocean
asking “please do not leave me -
I never got to say goodbye
and I fear my heart won’t mend
What shall I do without you?
Who will this mermaid tend?”
Her tears joined with the waters
of the mighty sea between
and stirred the heart to action
of the kindly merfolk Queen
“My daughter,
if he could console you,
you know what he would say –
He would never leave you,
if only he could stay.
But go he must, and you will join him
on some future day
until then, this I offer
to help you find your way:
Look for him in tidepools
and in the glistening sea
on sandy shores and swimming pools
and there he’ll surely be
For a love like yours is timeless
He will never leave your side
As long as you remember
He’ll be there on every tide
And every time a merfolk spills
in the sea a salty tear
their partner thus receives a kiss
and their voice they plainly hear
So sing your song to your beloved
and with the ocean spray
perk up your ears and you may hear
your beloved say
Swim on, my lovely mermaid
So I may watch your dance
To watch you swim and sing and play
always leaves me so entranced
Have no regrets, my love
for we shall meet anew
I am your faithful mertender
and I will always be with you.

That's so beautiful. Trust me when I say I've definitely cried with you, sweet sister. Much love.

[Coradion]

Is there an address we can send letters or packages to?