Remembering My Sister Sherry - Part Two

As I continue to reflect on my sweet sister's last year or two of life, I came across some more pictures that I would like to share:

Sherry and Rick on vacation - they always loved going down

to the Texas Gulf Coast.

What a beautiful and sweet family - This was two years ago when Sherry and Rick renewed their Wedding Vows. Their children were "over the moon" that their Mom and Dad had made it through some rough times and still loved each other so much!

One of the last pictures that Rick took of Sherry

(in the past couple of weeks) - We just LOVE this picture of her!

The last photo of Sherry with her oldest son, Taylor (age 15)

- in the past couple of weeks

Last picture of Sherry with her younger son, Paul (age 10)

Sherry cuddling with her little girl, Chloe (age 8) in the last week or two before she died. They had just given their dog, Princess, a bath.

That is the best fishing posture I have ever seen!

On vacation with Chloe and Paul

On vacation with son, Paul, and her husband, Rick. (She looks so happy and content here - and she loved her family fiercely!)

Remembering Sherry Ann Rudisell Gonzalez - August 28, 1970 to October 24, 2009

I have experienced the profound sorrow of losing my precious little sister, Sherry, to suicide this past week. There truly are no adequate words to describe how I have felt these past 7 days since we found out that she had left this world to go on to be with her Heavenly Father. At times, the grief is truly suffocating - it feels as if the burden is too heavy to bear. As I searched through some of my digital pictures, I found some beautiful reminders of the happy times that we have had - even in the past few years with Sherry. Although she fought a long and courageous battle with depression, the nature of her disease was cyclical, so there were many very happy memories that we shared. Here are just a few:

Sherry and I on the Disney Cruise - a gift from my Parents celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary in 2004! It was truly the most wonderful vacation any of us has ever had!

Sherry was a great - actually a monumental - LOVER of all things DISNEY - but especially Disney World! This is her last trip there - Summer of 2008 (pictured with my daughter, Ashley, her children - Chloe, Taylor and Paul) and our Mom.

More Disney World fun in Summer, 2008!

Sherry and our Mom at Disney World in Summer, 2008!

The whole family - including my Dad - posing with Cinderella after their special lunch in Cinderella's Castle at Disney World, Summer, 2008

Sherry and our Mom at Disney World, Summer of 2008

Sherry and her daughter, Chloe at Disney World in Summer, 2008. Note Sherry's signature Minnie Mouse ears! She always said she loved to go to Disney to relive her childhood! (We grew up in Florida)

In front of Cinderella's Castle - Disney World, Summer of 2008

New Year's Eve, 2005 - After Sherry, her husband, Rick, and Steve and I went out to a wonderful dinner in Dallas!

Cuddling with my sweet Baby Jack - Christmas, 2004

Easter at my Parent's Home - 2007

Father's Day Lunch at Saltgrass Steakhouse with our Dad - 2007

Father's Day Lunch, 2007 - Sherry and I with her oldest son, Taylor

Sherry and her husband Rick, with my youngest baby, Ryan - January,2007 (She was so excited to get a day-pass from her Rehabilitation Center to have a family lunch together)

Sherry's lasting legacy - her three beautiful children:

Paul, Chloe and Taylor

Fun times with Sherry less than a year ago - Thanksgiving week, 2008. I was playing like the "Paparrazi" with my new camera!

She just laughed and laughed!

Celebrating Chloe's 8th Birthday, November, 2008 -

at American Girl Doll Place in Dallas

More Chloe's Birthday Party at American Girl Doll Place - November, 2008 - We had a WONDERFUL time together!

This is the way I like to remember my sweet Sister - smiling and enjoying her family! Although that smile masked periods of grave depression and deep sadness, we will always remember her laugh, her fun spirit, her outspokeness, her passionate love, her commitment to her children and the always special place she will hold in our hearts forever!

We will miss you, Sherry -

but you will NEVER, EVER be forgotten.

Our world is a better place for having you in it!