Sad tidings

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Kristen K.'s picture
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Sad tidings

Earlier this week my best friend Becks (Becks534 on here) lost her beloved husband Carlos. He fought a year long battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Lukemia, and while a transplant was near, when the cancer returned it did so in overwhelming force. I can say that his passing was peaceful, and he was surrounded by loved ones. I spent the week in Chicago with Becks trying to help get end of life details together, and a celebration of his life is being held tomorrow. Our families are devastated to say the least. The two of them have joined my family on countless trips to Walt Disney World over the years. I know that several forum members were lucky enough to meet Carlos. Amongst my favorite Disney memories is their wedding. Carlos will always be a part of Disney to me, I will remember him walking through Epcot eating all the wonderful Food & Wine Festival fare, elaborating on the tastes and textures in his expressive way.

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Vettelover's picture
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Please extend my deepest sympathy to Becks and her family and also to you and your family. RIP Carlos.

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JanJ's picture
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RIP Carlos - so sad but he's no longer in pain. Condolences to Becks and her family and to you and yours. muchlove

oHIo's picture
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So very, very sorry sad It is always difficult to lose a spouse and special relative but even more so when that person is so young! Please extend my sympathy to everybody. I love the wedding picture. Carlos' expression is priceless!

Kristen K.'s picture
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oHIo wrote:
So very, very sorry sad It is always difficult to lose a spouse and special relative but even more so when that person is so young! Please extend my sympathy to everybody. I love the wedding picture. Carlos' expression is priceless!

She said that is one of her favorites because he was trying to make her laugh. muchlove

JMed's picture
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I've been following along with their story since his diagnosis. It's funny, only have meeting them once (at Disney of course) I feel like I've known them a lifetime. Her ups and downs. Their trip when he was cleared and so much more. My heart breaks for them all over again as it has on and off thru the past year.

She is lucky to have a friend like you. I know this has been just as hard for you but you have been that best friend we all hope we find in our lives.

Big hugs to you all today and as you heal. muchlove muchlove

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Kristen K.'s picture
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JMed wrote:
Big hugs to you all today and as you heal. muchlove muchlove

Thank you so much. The outpouring of love that Bekah and I have experienced over the past week has been humbling. It would have been so much harder for me if I didn't have such support from friends online. Today is going to be rough, but it is what it is.

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My condolences to both of your families.

Spook's picture
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JMed wrote:
I've been following along with their story since his diagnosis. It's funny, only have meeting them once (at Disney of course) I feel like I've known them a lifetime. Her ups and downs. Their trip when he was cleared and so much more. My heart breaks for them all over again as it has on and off thru the past year.

She is lucky to have a friend like you. I know this has been just as hard for you but you have been that best friend we all hope we find in our lives.

Big hugs to you all today and as you heal. muchlove muchlove

Same here. I met them that same night but feels like I've known them for a long time. It was only a few months after we met him that he was diagnosed. It was so shocking and heartbreaking but then he started getting better and they were able to travel to Disney! I was so sad to hear the cancer came back this summer and I was really hopeful he could fight it off again.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope today can help you all ease some of your grief and that you can laugh and smile at memories that will be shared.

MrHub's picture
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So sorry for all of you and especially Becks and her family. Please express our deepest sympathy to everyone.

JoAnn C's picture
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Spook wrote:
JMed wrote:
I've been following along with their story since his diagnosis. It's funny, only have meeting them once (at Disney of course) I feel like I've known them a lifetime. Her ups and downs. Their trip when he was cleared and so much more. My heart breaks for them all over again as it has on and off thru the past year.

She is lucky to have a friend like you. I know this has been just as hard for you but you have been that best friend we all hope we find in our lives.

Big hugs to you all today and as you heal. muchlove muchlove

Same here. I met them that same night but feels like I've known them for a long time. It was only a few months after we met him that he was diagnosed. It was so shocking and heartbreaking but then he started getting better and they were able to travel to Disney! I was so sad to hear the cancer came back this summer and I was really hopeful he could fight it off again.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope today can help you all ease some of your grief and that you can laugh and smile at memories that will be shared.

That was a fun night. I'm happy I got to meet him. Like JMed and Spook, I feel like I've known them for a long time. I was saddened by his diagnosis last year and was happy to ring a bell for him earlier this year when he was getting better. I am continuing to send hugs and love to you and Becks.

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Kristen K.'s picture
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I just got back home from Carlos' memorial service. He wanted a party with tacos and rib tips, music and games. That is exactly what he got. There were about 125 people that gathered to remember him and give their love and support to Becks. It was good party, even though we were gathered for a sad reason. We all shared stories and memories, hugged each other, and cried a few tears together. It was quite the send off.

Thank you all for your messages of love and support, it really does mean the world. muchlove

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Kristen K. wrote:
I just got back home from Carlos' memorial service. He wanted a party with tacos and rib tips, music and games. That is exactly what he got. There were about 125 people that gathered to remember him and give their love and support to Becks. It was good party, even though we were gathered for a sad reason. We all shared stories and memories, hugged each other, and cried a few tears together. It was quite the send off.

Thank you all for your messages of love and support, it really does mean the world. muchlove

Sounds like the perfect way to remember your friend. muchlove

MrHub's picture
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Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate his life. I am glad it went well.

Allie's picture
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I'm so so so sorry for your and Becks' loss. I'm so happy you were able to give him the send off he wanted.

Mandy's picture
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That sounds like a great way to honor someone.