Donate…. for my friend… please.

First of all I will start by saying… I know you probably do not know this family personally.

So asking you to donate to something you are unfamiliar with may seem an easy “pass”,
but please read my LOVE for them, before you dismiss this post.

I feel so lost in the moment, and in my loss… but if I can help in anyway, this is it.
I can write, I can express myself and hope the words & experience I share will help.
I can ask anyone who reads this, to take a minute and share… say a silent prayer… and if possible, DONATE.

Ronnie and I grew up together, he was a good, solid, funny, charming, caring & loving man.  He is the stereotypical NICE GUY, and father that you would always want your daughter to have. He supported my love of photography, and like a brother…
he was proud of my work and the business I built.

Since we were in the 7th grade he has been my “go to guy”.

And at our age 36 (I’m 37), its hard to imagine a need for buying life insurance.
I mean…. who is going to suddenly pass away from a heart attack at our age, especially when they are healthy, fit, and don’t abuse any sort of drugs or alcohol? NOT US… why would that happen? We are young… our children are young…
and in our 30’s life is just blossoming into the best years yet.

But… I does, and it did.   Life will never be the same.

This is my family… not directly, but extended…. this lovely man, who passed away so suddenly and so young, was the father of my 14yo Goddaughter… he was my friend, like a brother.   As much as my heart aches, I cannot fathom the suffering of those closest to him.

Early Sunday morning I was devastated by the sudden & unexpected passing of Ronnie, my dear friend…. a man whom I have adored as a friend since I was a 7th grade goofy girl. From our childhood friendship, to working colleagues, to dancing & club buddies, he was always 110% my friend & confidant… he was an amazing human being, husband and father. My heart is crushed… not just for my own great loss, but for his wife & daughter, mother, father & siblings.. all family members and friends… for he was truly a gentle, sweet, funny & loving soul.

This is surreal, unbelievable, and I keep waiting to wake up.

The greatest gift he ever gave me, was being Godmother to his daughter (the oldest of my Godchildren).
I will forever cherish this gift, my “niece”… & the lifelong friendship with her father… more than I ever told him.

I hesitated writing anywhere, my grief has been overbearing, however… I wanted to share, from my own sadness & loss, & tell anyone who reads this… TELL THE PEOPLE CLOSE TO YOU, how important they truly are to you.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so take the time TODAY & NOW and share it with those you care about.

DO NOT WAIT to tell the people around them how important they are to you, and how much you cherish, appreciate & love them.
DO NOT WAIT to see & spend time with the ones who mean the most in your life, or wait for the right time to make plans with friends…
JUST MAKE IT HAPPEN.

If you are the praying “kind”… please take a second, and send a prayer to his family… they are just as genuine & beautiful as he. 

Ronnie and I laughed through the years… being married & having kids, thats CRAZY TALK!
But just in 2011, he FINALLY (I say that snarky, cuz I know Ronnie is watching -took ya long enough man!!)…  married his soulmate (after more then a decade together, and 1 beautiful daughter later!).  My heart was so HAPPY for him!!! But sad for myself, because I couldn’t join the celebrations… they got married in Mexico and I was 8m pregnant with Ms Joy.  I always laughed with him, that I MISSED THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY! lol  He was so proud, happy & finally 100% fulfilled in life after his wedding.

So please… if you can, DONATE.
Even the smallest amounts will multiply … so please don’t hold back or feel odd about a small donation,
because going from nothing to something is better than staying at “nothing”.

Why?
Because we as humans care, about other people.
And processing a loss like this is hard enough, but then trying to rebuild your emotional state… as well as trying to figure out the new financial state, that is just more grief for this family (my friends). They shouldn’t be burdened with.  Losing your most valuable love…
But trying to rebuild your life without that person… and not just as a physical being, but taking them out of the financial equation as well.
That double the agony… and twice the stress & anxiety.

SO PLEASE HELP, in the littlest way.
Even if they may be strangers to you… know that they are important, loved & cherished by many…
myself personally.

You can DONATE HERE , or click the logo anywhere on this post.

Ronnie Alerta… I miss you terrible… and will, every day of my life.

No one will EVER wear a pink button down shirt, and still look 110% masculine & handsome, like you!! EVER!   I still feel bad for all the guys in the dance clubs back in the 90’s, where if they came within a 5ft radius of me, Ronnie would “puff out his chest” and tell them to LEAVE the club (yes, he would actually have them kicked out lol).  He was my guard dog… my big “little” brother (yeah yeah, Im older I know!).  We even worked together for years, let me tell you how much fun that made the office! But most of all, he gave me the greatest gift… of being a Godmother for the first time.  A genuine friend, a gem… This is bs, we are too young.

DONATE HERE , or click the logo anywhere on this post.

Ps, Ronnie… if you are watching & reading this… MY HAIR WAS NEVER RED IN THE 7TH GRADE! You silly boy… I didn’t go read until Junior year high school… than back blonde. I know, I know… you’re probably still arguing this with me… but really, I was blonde when we met, NOT RED HEAD! lol xoxoxo… and I will miss you terrible every single day of my life… my life has a huge black void without you… but thank you for the gift of Amber, she is the light in all this darkness.