Keenan Powdrell
In support of Henry and Samantha Powdrell
Keenan, Henry and Samantha
Details:
There be an out-and-back paddle for Keenan on November 9th at 9am. We will launch and land at Jelly Bowl in Carpinteria.
A gathering with family and friends will follow on Calle Arena and food will be provided by Tacos Pipeye.
This is an invite-only event reserved for those closest to the Powdrell Family. If you’d like to support, please follow the link below to donate.
A note from Samantha:
Ours is a love story. Keenan and I met and fell in love young; both having grown up in Goleta. We spent our teen years at Haskell’s, cruising around in his VW bus.
After getting married and deciding to have Henry, we moved from our SB apartment to Ventura to purchase our first home.
We maintained many friendships from childhood and were so grateful for those, each other, Henry, our families, our home. Keenan and I grew deeper in love as we grew in love with our little family and life. Everything was perfect.
Then cancer struck and our world was immediately turned upside down. It was so scary and quick but there were many beautiful moments we seemed to capture in slow motion. The way our loved ones and community embraced us made our love expand to new levels. We had no words for the gratitude we felt.
After 7 short months, Keenan left us, surrounded by love. Every day I still can’t believe he’s gone. We continue to wake up each morning devastated that he’s gone. He was only 39 years old.
It’s been 6 months now.
I’m extremely proud of our 5-year old son, Henry. He’s strong. He knows Da Da has passed. Together Henry and I are making it through these difficult days completely on the support of our community. But our hearts are broken. We’ll never be the same. This kind of grief is almost unbearable at times.
We are determined to find peace and happiness where we can. Our life is not what we planned, wanted or expected and there is a lot of figuring out to do.
I’m trying to figure out how to be a single parent on my own. There are so many things Keenan did that made him an amazing partner and Dad. And I’m trying to fill those shoes even a little bit.
Henry just started kindergarten. He’s an amazing boy. We feel Keenan’s love every day.
Henry and I cannot thank The Friendship Paddle community enough for coming together for us. We’re grateful to Keenan’s parents, Dave and Valerie, for letting us continue to be in their family. Henry and I are so lucky to have had Keenan in our lives and for bringing all of you into it. It takes so much weight off our shoulders knowing we are so supported. We are so grateful, and we love you.
-Samantha and Henry Powdrell
