This is my husband’s big brother, John, we called him Johnny. John left us this past week…too soon. He was such a sweet person, much like my husband. In fact, every one of the Vilardo men is a kind, sweet, and very caring individual. I’m very blessed to have married one of them.

John loved to hunt, fish, and camp and his latest love was his 3-year-old granddaughter, Annaliese Kali. It’s going to be a tough road ahead for my sister-in-law, Michelle, and her family. It’s just so hard to face this very inevitable event. We can’t escape it, but we can make sure we take every second going forward as a precious gift to spend time with our loved ones and friends.

We all do it. We say, “Oh I’m going to cherish every moment with the people I love” after we’re faced with a loss. But sadly, we usually resume our busy lives and begin to take for granted the gifts that we have been given; the people God has given to us to love. My prayer is that we all look deeply at the many blessings in our lives. That we pause and put aside all that does not matter in the end.  

I thank You, Father, for everyone whom You have given me to love! May I never take anyone for granted. 🙏🏻