Sad story...

Just a warning for those who don't want to read about a heart-breaking situation...

A very close friend of mine - someone I considered to be a big sister, who I have known for my entire life - was found dead nearly two weeks ago - initially ruled a sudden death - at the age of 44.

Five days later, her husband was charged with first-degree murder. This has shaken my family to the core, as we have known this family for many years - spent Christmases together, participated in weddings and shared in births. They were extended family - and the cliche of "the last people you would ever expect this to happen to."

They leave behind a six-year-old and an eight-year-old. They lost their mother to murder, and their father to prison. The only immediate family they have are their grandparents, who are (although very active) in their late '70s.

Their community (they now live about 1 hr from here) are rallying behind them, but there are some long-term questions that still need to be answered. The kids are coping remarkably well (their mother was an angel who poured her life into them), but their care is up in the air. My brother and his wife are the godparents, but no decisions have been made at this point.

So I haven't been around much lately. We're slowly coming to grips with things, but your thoughts and prayers for those kids are much appreciated.