I love the lyrics to the Gary Allen song "Life Ain't Always Beautiful" It reigns so true and is helpful for me at times like I have experienced at the end of this week.

My Aunt Mary passed Thursday night at 59 years young. She had suffered from Raynuad's disease and then with the past year or so she started to have health complications and the last two weeks she had a difficult battle in the hospital fighting congestive heart failure and kidney failure. So although we had to say goodbye for now, she can now be free from all the pain and can rest in peace.

There cannot be death without life, life of the individual that has passed that we can now cherish the special moments shared, but also new life and the life that is still going on with the ability to continue the memories of loved ones no longer with us. My family has been able to recently welcome three births and today we will celebrate the first birthday of my cousin, who with time will need to learn "No, life aint always beautiful, Tears will fall sometimes, Life aint always beautiful, But it's a beautiful ride"

R.I.P Aunt Mary. I love you very much and will always cherish the wonderful, spirited woman that you were and encouraged me to be. You are greatly missed.