If you know me personally or have been following the blog for quite a while, then you may know that I was married before, and the first 11 years of my adult life were spent along side Art Haedike. I don’t mention it much, as it’s personal and between us, and this blog is mostly about my creations and my present life experience over the last two years now ~ but my marriage was a wonderful one in so many ways mostly because of the person I was married too, yet life sometimes still manages to take us in different directions. I am however endlessly grateful for the time we spent together, and also for the Haedike and Landess family, who made me feel a welcome part of their family from the first moment I met them.

Yesterday, I learned from my ex-husband, Art, that his brother, David, passed away unexpectedly on Friday.  He was only 32 years old and leaves behind two children of his own.

It is at this point of the post that I am simply at a loss for words. The shock of this sudden tragedy is settling in and my heart is breaking for Art and his family. I can’t begin to put into words anything other than the fact that David was one of the kindest, gentlest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. So in some small form, this post is my way of remembering such a humble, gracious and beautiful spirit. I chose the photo above, that shows David on the right side, because it was a photo where David wasn’t posing and it happened to capture what I remember about him most ~ his soft, loving presence and his sweet smile.

I have debated whether or not to share anything regarding this here with you, but decided that I would ~ as we can never be reminded enough to appreciate our loved ones, to appreciate the life we are living, to slow down and live fully in every moment and to tell the people we love how much we love them as often as we can. It’s never too soon or too late to share with those close to us, how much they mean to us.
I also didn’t feel like I could post on my blog this week as if nothing had happened, because no matter how much joy I want to share here (and that is one of my main intentions with this blog), this is still an honest slice of my life, and at the moment my heart is saddened and reflecting once again on all that is truly important to me. Also for my family and friends who may keep up with me here at the blog, especially those of you had the chance to meet David, I thought you would want to know as well. So please send loving thoughts to the Haedike family and hug those you love a little tighter today.