To Our Sparrow

A week ago today, my sweet cousin, Sparrow, had to endure something no young wife and mom should ever have to endure...saying a final goodbye to her wonderful husband, a man who loved deeply and could fill a room with his smile and laughter.  My family and I have been so broken over her loss and really feeling torn between being here for grandma in her last days and hopping on the next plane to be there with our Sparrow.  I wrote a letter on behalf of my cousins to be shared with Sparrow to let her know how much we love her and will be here to support her in the hard months and years to come...

Sparrow,

Our hearts are breaking for you and all you’ve had to endure.  It just doesn’t seem fair.  We wish we could be with you right now.  Even though we are far away, we want you to know that we will be your strength, holding you and supporting you in the months and years ahead.    

Many of us have been blessed to have known and loved Monte.  He was a great man whose love for you and your beautiful daughter was so evident.  He was such a joy to be around.  We will never forget his smile or the way he could tell a story.  We are all proud to call him family. 

On your wedding day, many of us were there to share in the joy of your new life together.  Monte couldn’t have been happier to be married to you.  Because of all you have been through in your life, we’ve all felt a desire to protect and watch out for you, but we knew, without a doubt, that this was a man who would cherish and love you well.   Even those who couldn’t be there will forever remember the beauty of your love in every picture you have shared with us. 

It is that love that will carry you through.  Though he is no longer here with us, he will live on through your beautiful daughter.  Matia – such a beautiful name for the daughter you had both waited for and dreamed of from the moment you excitedly shared your news with all of us.  You could probably have heard all our yelling and shouting when we found out your wonderful news.  We couldn’t have been happier for you.  If anyone deserved a happily ever after, it was you. 

We still can’t believe this is really happening.  We’ve all cried for you and for the loss of a man who will be forever missed and never forgotten.  If only there was a way to reach across the miles and envelop you in our arms.  We really wish we could be there with you today.  You are never far from our thoughts or our prayers.  Just imagine us all here, right now, holding you and loving you.  We all love you so much.

Your Klein cousins
Star, Kisha, Jackson, Tristan, Joshua, Sam, Ben, Stephanie, Melissa, DJ, Kelly, Dan, Alyssa, Nicole, Emma, Ethan