Dear Rick, Nathan, Jordan, pani Rybczynska and Stasiu, Frank and I are so very sorry that Halina is gone much too soon. She loved you all so very much, and she was especially proud of her beautiful and talented sons. I know she leaves a huge hole in all of your lives but I hope that you will feel her loving presence as you move forward in your lives, and I hope that your happy memories will bring you much comfort. Raising our families on opposite ends of the continent, the opportunities we had to spend together as adults were very few and far between. I was honored to co-host a small baby shower when she was expecting Nathan, and to witness her excitement about impending motherhood, and to visit with Halina and her family at their beautiful home. We were great friends as young girls, and the ever present smile and warm persona others have used to describe her are exactly how I remember Halinka, as we called her. She just radiated love and joy and made the world a better place for those whose lives she touched. We are sorry not to have been able to be with you today, but we did honor and remember Halinka in our own way. I remember a girl who loved nature, loved the water, loved plants, and so this morning I picked a small bouquet from our garden, we walked in silence to the end of our local pier, and after saying some prayers for her and for all of you, I tossed the flowers into the Pacific Ocean. I felt how heartstrings are connected across the vastness of distance… and I hope that you will always feels yours connected with hers. Rest in peace, Halina, and may that peace finds its way to you Rick, Nathan, Jordan, Pani Rybczynska and Stasiu, as you learn to navigate the world without this very special lady. Love you Halina! Ela
