May Her Memory Be Blessing ♥♥ In Jewish tradition, each time you think of someone who has passed on or say their name, they are blessed and so are you. The memory you have of them turns into a blessing for you and for their soul

 

~Kali and Kevin~ 

5 years ago this August, I wrote a blog about our 16 year old next door neighbor, Kevin, who passed away in a car accident (May His Memory Be A Blessing).  Tragedy has struck our little neighborhood again this past week.  Our neighborhood has not turned over a lot in the past years since all of our kids were growing up. Many of the same families have watched each others kids from preschool to graduating high school. Many of these kids were a tight knit group and have now endured the loss of 2 friends in 5 years.

The Reinhardt family has endured a devastation that has affected so many.  This family of 6, Ray, Heather, Jake, Jack, Josh, and Kali has changed forever.

Last Saturday night their daughter and sister Kali (24) was out with friends and collapsed.  She was taken to Northwestern hospital in Chicago. She was treated for a headache and an ankle sprain.  During the night Kali stopped breathing and was intibated.  It was determined that she had an unknown condition that didn't allow her brain to swell properly when it needed to.  There was no way of knowing this...

Kalis mom, Heather, immediately started writing a Caring Bridge...https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kalireinhardt

The strength of this woman, this mom, is unlike any mom I have ever known.  I always knew her to be very strong . (I have known Heather for years because our older sons are friends and our youngest, Sadie and Josh are best friends...) Her fight proves not only her strength but her love for her family. She has more eloquence in her writing on the Caring Bridge than most would in this situation.  She posted pictures of Kalis hands being held by her brothers, boyfriend, godparents, and she and her husband Ray.  She opened herself up and let everyone who was following Kalis "journey" feel every emotion.  I had only met Kali a handful of times, but every time a new journal was written my stomach ached...I read...I cried...  Any mom would find tears falling, any mom who has kids young or old will feel the pain in her words.  But every word is written with so much love.  Kali was a very lucky girl to have the support, love and prayers from so many.  She touched so many lives in her short 24 years, from high school, college and living in Chicago. She now will touch lives in a way that she never imagined that she would.  She has donated her organs through The Gift Of Hope to families that were so patiently waiting.  Like I said, I had only had the privilege of meeting her a few times, but I can say with confidence that heaven has gained an angel.  She will be watching over her mom and dad, Jake, Jack, Josh, Mitch, all of her friends and family.  The world lost a beautiful girl, but heaven gained a beautiful soul.

Please send this family prayers and strength during this unfathomable time.
May Her Memory Be A Blessing ❤