Ray & Family - My family (Jerry, Brandie, Tanya & Maddox, and Aunt San) and I are so very sorry for your loss. We are all too familiar with the pain you are experiencing right now -- it's like a big part of your heart has been taken and the aching in your chest seems almost unbearable, at times you feel like you can hardly breathe.... We've talked about Michelle alot over the past several days, remembering her beautiful smile, and about the visit when you & Michelle (and I think Trey and a friend of his) came down as we were about to lose Rob. It's a sad and happy time when family and friends are brought together by a death of someone they all loved very much. It's obviously sad, because none of us ever wants to lose someone we love, but happy because we get to see and communicate with loved ones and friends we may not see or hear from except in times like this. It doesn't mean we don't love each other, or that we don't care, it means that we are all caught up in this game of life, just trying to make it through one day at a time and facing the challenges along the way. Right now, as much as our hearts are breaking, we are all talking about Michelle and remembering the things we loved about her. I remember her beautiful smile and her flawless complexion -- so beautiful it made me want to touch her face to see if it was as soft as it looked. I was so proud and envious that she had pursued her dream of becoming a nurse and then had put those skills to use in managing a dialysis center. So very proud of her! I sure hope Tori follows in her Mama's footsteps. Although I never really knew her as an adult (or even as a child), I could tell what a kind, caring, and sweet person she was and how much she loved you and the kids and what a great wife, Mom, and Nana she was. So unfair that she was taken from us all at such an early age. We all know for certain that at some point in time we are going to die or someone or something we love is going to die but it doesn't make it any easier. It makes us sad, and mad, and question why it happened, or how could this have happened, but the sad fact is that it is all beyond our control. As difficult as it will be, you will all make it through this (even though you don't think you will or know how you will even do it). Just remember to be strong for Michelle, as if she is still here, because that's how she would want it, and because she will always be a part of all of us and because life for us still goes on. Make her proud, continue on with taking care of those you love, hug them a little tighter as if both you and Michelle were hugging them. All your postings (yours, Tori's, Trey's & Jason's) have really touched us and caused me to shed more than a few tears. Sad tears for your (our) loss, but happy tears at seeing all the pictures of your wonderful times together as a family and all your beautiful kids and grandkids. Take care. Love to you all. Aunt Kaye