The saying goes, “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I would walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.”


This page is dedicated to the loved ones who are unable to celebrate this day with us. I can only imagine what it would be like to have them all here, but they will all be together watching over us.

Grandpa and Grandma Arens helped show me what love within a marriage truly means. My grandpa suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on the right side of his body, affecting his speech and ability to walk or move on his own. My grandma lived to care for him. Although I’m sure it was never easy on her, being his full time caregiver and taking care of her kids and grandkids along the way. At a young age I knew the love they had for each other and also saw the heartbreak in my grandpa when grandma passed away. They were reunited in 2013 and I know they haven’t stopped dancing since. I love you both so much, and I hope I’m making you proud each and every day. I know you’re up there having a smoke and a coke with everyone.

My cousins and I spent a lot of our time with Great Grandma when we were young. My favorite memories were playing cards with her, playing in her apartment playground, and playing with the few toys she kept for us in her coat closet. We always knew where to find them and always knew to put them away before we left. This photo is also a good memory, as it was the last birthday we got to celebrate with her. Our birthday was only a few days apart, so we always celebrated together. I miss her dearly, and I can always see her smiling down on me.

I had a couple of photos to choose from for Grandpa Dave, but chose this because this was his personality. Always doing something goofy for a photo. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about you. Mom and I talk about you all the time and share many laughs over all the funny memories we have of you. I always find myself wishing you were standing in the back doorway when I walk through the barbershop door. Leaning against the doorframe smoking a cigarette. Love you grandpa Dave, and things have not been the same down here without you.

Linda was my Aunt Nana - I know what you’re thinking, this isn’t a real thing, but to me it was. Growing up with my cousins (her grandkids), they always called her Nana. I loved her very much, she was that cool aunt you always wanted to be around. I knew she was my aunt, but always wanted to call her Nana as well - this is where I came up with Aunt Nana. She has been that to me ever since. Never Linda, never Aunt Linda, always Aunt Nana. My favorite memory was her 60th birthday party we had for her right before I moved to Arizona for school. Shortly after that we found out she was sick and I only got the chance to see her a handful of times before she passed in 2017. I miss you Aunt Nana, but I know you’ll be having a smoke and a coke with everyone on this special day. 


Uncle Gordy was my first guardian angel. Although i was very young when we lost him, there are a few things I do know for certain: 1. He is missed by every single one of us. 2. He comes up in almost every story my dad tells. 3. He’s having a smoke and a coke with everyone while watching us all try to navigate this life without them.