3/13/13 Goodbye

Ryan's grandparents are amazing people.  They traveled the world together, taught ballroom dance on cruise ships, visited tribes in Africa and Grandma Loretta even taught Hula classes.  On Wednesday, around 1am, Loretta passed away in her sleep after a year long battle with pain.
Rudy and Loretta are without a doubt the most amazing people I've ever met in my life and I often regret that I didn't get to meet them sooner.  Rudy sang to his wife each morning as he brought her a cup of coffee (often accompanied by his uke) and they were as in love on the day she died as they were over SEVENTY years ago when they wed.  He adored his wife and sparkles every time he speaks of her.  Grandpa Rudy was one of Ryan's groomsmen and he and Loretta danced at our wedding as the longest married couple there.  Grandma wore a candy necklace from our reception candy shop in all of the professional shots we have and I sooo love that!  She was something to be admired.  She even modeled in a runway show for a big name company when she was in her eighties!  She wrote an essay about keeping a youthful heart and mentality that caught the judges eye.
My mother and I only knew them for the past six years but fell in love with them right out of the gate.  From the moment we met them they loved us as if were were always there, always apart of their family.  It's been an honor and an immense blessing.

 The whole family is doing okay, relieved that she will no longer endure the pain of her broken body.  It's hard to know she's not in our world anymore and even harder to think of Rudy and Loretta apart.  But the family has all come together and the love for them and each other is palatable.    Ryan has been reliving some of his favorite stories from his childhood with me over the past few days. Her life will always be cherished, remembered and definitely celebrated by everyone that had the privilege to know her.  Goodbye Grandma Loretta, there isn't a soul alive that isn't better off for having you in their lives. 

I'll be taking one week off from the blog.  See you all very soon.