We love you Ria.

You were all so kind when I wrote this post about my beloved Tante Maria. Sadly she is no longer with us. I'm having a hard time processing it all and simply feel a heaviness in my heart. I know I will need to grieve and let it out, but right now I'm in an emotional limbo. I feel the sadness begin to creep over me and I shrug it off...trying to be there for Wolfie, who has a monster cold and is feverish and simply wants to cuddle with Mommy. I am deeply saddened by the fact that Wolfie won't get to know her as I did, but I am also so grateful that they met. So was a truly special and inspiring woman—an elegant tomboy— who made all of our lives just a little bit brighter.


I know that Ria would want us to be positive and celebrate her life. I've already shared with you how vibrant and lovely she was, so I thought it fitting to share some images from her beautiful hometown of Würzburg, Germany. Nestled in the wide valley of the Main River, in the middle of Bavaria's most famous wine producing region, Würzburg is considered by many the Pearl of the Romantische Straße (Romantic Road). She loved to go back and visit friends and family and take nice long walks. She lived here til she was in her 20s, and eventually immigrated to the U.S. where she settled in Michigan. She loved Michigan but Würzburg always remained dear to her heart.









The beautiful Residenz is a gorgeous example of baroque architecture. The gardens are really stunning—the little triangle trees were always my favorite.

Maria loved her garden and being outdoors and I know she would have loved these gorgeous spring flowers.

To my beloved Ria...you lit up our world.
1928-2009

Wandrers Nachtlied II (Wayfarer's Night Song II)
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Über allen Gipfeln                                         Over all the hilltops
Ist Ruh,                                                            Is calm.
In allen Wipfeln                                             In all the treetops
Spürest du                                                       You feel
Kaum einen Hauch;                                       Hardly a breath of air.
Die Vögelein schweigen in Walde.              The little birds fall silent in the woods.
Warte nur, balde                                            Just wait... soon
Ruhest du auch.                                              you'll also be at rest.