Elburn family collecting 95 cards to celebrate grandma's birthday Oct. 13
A silver lining in the COVID-19 black cloud has created somewhat of a miracle to a family in Elburn.
Ninety-four-year-old IV Hallmark has been a resident of Alabama all of her life and has an extensive family there who all care for her very much.
Her son Gerald Parker and granddaughters Cheri Gilson and Alexandra Parker all live together in Elburn.
In previous years, she often was able to see her Illinois family about once a year due to work, school and etc.
Over the past five years, she resided in a beautiful assisted living facility surrounded by many family members. She had regular visitors until COVID-19.
In early July, IV became ill. Due to the level of care needed, she would be moved to a nursing home where she would have no visitors for months! So, on July 24, her Illinois family drove to Alabama and pick her up out of the hospital. Ten hours later, she was in her new bedroom and now an Illinois resident! She sees her son and two granddaughters every day and is preparing to celebrate her 95th birthday on Oct. 13!
The family has reached out on Facebook and challenged everyone to send a birthday card in order to hit 95 cards before the 13th. She currently needs 11 more cards to reach 95!
This would have never been possible nor would the family have moved her from her Alabama home if it was not for COVID-19! Blessing in a black cloud!