In wake of tragedy, mom struggles to get in spirit for son

LYNN – Jane’s heart has been through a lot in the past year, and in the wake of her struggle, the Lynn resident needs your help to shine a much-needed ray of light in her life, and bring Christmas to her 12-year-old son, Dexter.The disabled mother was forced to take Dexter out of their home in Lynn, away from his friends and familiar surroundings because she simply could not afford the cost of living after the death of her 22-year-old daughter Amanda earlier this year.After pulmonary embolism took the joy of her first child from her, Julia had to spend every penny that she had saved on the funeral, leaving her broke and forced to move in with her 77-year-old father, who lives only on social security. Now, months after her daughter’s death, Jane is still struggling to regain her financial stability.With his sick grandfather and disabled mother struggling to make ends meet in Malden, Dexter suffered through a turkey-free Thanksgiving, something Julia says was so painful it only added to the deep depression she experienced after the death of her daughter.”We are having such a hard time, we couldn’t get a turkey for Thanksgiving. We can’t even afford a tree or a stand. I have been in a deep depression since my daughter’s death. I am trying to get into the spirit of the season for my son, but it is hard because we are a needy, desperate family,” she wrote. “I know people hear the same stories every year, but our family really needs help.”Dexter is a heavy-set boy with health problems of his own, weighing 189 pounds; he is already in men’s extra large shirts. His one perk in life is his PlayStation video game console, but his mother says he only has a few games, as she cannot afford to buy him anything new.She describes him as a “very good” boy who does well in school and always tries to help others. Even through the most difficult of times, Dexter has been understanding and has taken the sacrifices his family is forced to make in stride.He has an affinity for art, and he spends his days drawing and doodling to pass the time. He is also a huge fan of wrestling, and enjoys wearing Axe Body Spray when he can save up enough money to buy himself a bottle.For someone like Dexter, and his mother Julia, even the smallest gesture of giving can help turn things around, at least temporarily. In the wake of tragedy, struggling with her own sickness and the failing health of her aging father, Dexter is one of the few good things that Julia has left. All this mother is asking for this holiday season is a smile on the face of her son.To make a donation to Item Santa, clip the coupon in today’s Item or download one and mail it, along with your check, to The Item Salvation Army Santa, P.O. Box 951, Lynn, MA 01903.The Salvation Army will be distributing gifts to needy families Dec. 10-13.For more information, call the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.