Monthly Archive for November, 2010

We each are brought into this world with a biological family: a mother, a father, maybe siblings.  But some of us end up in the extended arms of families who aren’t blood-related, but with whom we forge a bond so thick that the lines of biology and pure love become intertwined.

One such household has always been our home away from home…  it’s the one we all flock to during the Holidays, one that is always filled with glee, warmth and laughter…  and never without extra blankets and sugar-free snacks.

Our “leetle brother” Ryan was a product of this family who opened their hearts many, many years ago and swallowed us into their loving household.  We watched him from the time he was a little man, until he actually was a man.  Yet, to us, he’ll always be “leetle Ryan”: the kid with a perpetual smile on his face who would volunteer to rake Karrie’s grandmother’s yard when he was 8, who would come bounding across the front lawn when we agreed to give him a ride to the movies, and who always greeted us at the door with an exuberant “haylo!” and a hug.  We are so grateful to have known such a kind, gentle soul.

We love you, Leetle Ryan.

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”
– Eskimo Proverb

Your Aunties,