Even though we’re an ocean apart and times together are few, my family in Germany is very dear to me.
March 2015, I received the sad news that my dear cousin Marco passed away. I wasn’t able to attend the funeral, but I made plans to visit my family in the summer.
This post is specially in memory of Marco. He was a wonderful man with a generous heart and fun-loving personality. Marco and my brother Johnny had the same beaming smile and loved to play drums.
I stayed with Marco’s wife for a few weeks and even got to sleep in his bed.
I enjoyed feeding the tortoises. I had a tortoise whose name was Boris when I was a teenager and these guys brought back happy memories.
These friends are vegans … 🙂
Marco’s wife and I at a restaurant in Stuttgart.
We had fun shopping in Stuttgart, touring towns and enjoying time with many of my cousins and family.
I bought a silver heart tray on one of our shopping trips and the silver heart ornament is a gift from Marco’s wife.
Memories to treasure but I missed that Marco was not there.
Time and distance do not separate us from loved ones.
fashion with compassion 
Life is cruel sometimes and takes away dear people … through memories we can keep them alive .
I am really sorry to hear about your loss … your post is so full of love …
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Thank you very much dear Dan! Yes, we all do lose loved ones, so we understand the sadness that death brings.
Love never dies!
❤ carmen
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I’m so sorry for your loss. Your cousin Marco seems like a great man, I know it must have been heartbreaking to lose him. Nevertheless, as you say…those that we love and carry with us always stay in our hearts. It is nice you were able to visit his wife and spend some time with her. Visiting family is always great. My family is all over the place, it is so seldom that we meet in one place.
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Thanks so much dear Ivana! Your words are very comforting!
Blessings!!
❤ carmen
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Heartbreaking when someone close leaves us…But in a way they are always stay with us…Beautiful and sweet post, Carmen…And you are such a beautiful and sweet person!
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Thank you my dear Olga! It takes one to know one! 🙂
I appreciate your kind words!
❤ carmen
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Deepest condolences on Marco’s passing. Has 1 year made the grief less stabbingly sharp?
The silver heart ornament from his wife is beautiful. What a wonderful way to say you are always in her heart!
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Thank you Melinda! When you love someone you always miss them.
❤ carmen
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You’re welcome, sister. Yes, indeed!
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I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful cousin! I’m sure the visit was sweet and sad at the same time.
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Thank you dear Susan! Yes, it was bittersweet. My first time back to Germany with Marco gone. My first cousin that has passed away at 59 years of age. I have been back to Germany 6 times since my family moved to Canada when I was 5 years old.
❤ carmen
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I am sorry to hear about your loss. Ich wusste nicht, dass du aus D stammst. ich habe auch Familie in D.
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Hallo liebe Nicole! Ich wusste nicht, dass Du auch Familie in Deutsch hast. 🙂
❤ carmen
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It does not, I agree Carmen, living in another country than your family. This is a beautiful post for your cousin. I am off to Germany tonight for some days to see my mum, who is soon 90. We need to plan her birthday 🙂 She is already quite excited. Much love from Ute
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How wonderful! dear Ute! You are blessed that you do not live on another continent than your mother and family, which makes visiting easier, less expensive and more frequent. That is a special occasion to celebrate her 90th birthday!! WOW!! 🙂
It’s a HUGE world after all …
Bon Voyage and make some wonderful memories together!!
❤ carmen
Viele liebe Grüße an Deine liebe Mama!
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Danke liebe Carmen, wir werden die Gemuetlichkeit geniessen. ♥
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Ahhh there’s the word without a proper English translation. 🙂
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My dear Carmen, you’re so wonderful. This post is another demonstration of your great sensitivity and delicacy. Love for your family and friends is something that makes you a lovely person. I hope your family knows how important it is to understand your presence with them. You are an example for me.
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Thank you my dear Josep-Maria! Growing up so far away from all my many cousins and grandparents was sometimes sad. All my friends had cousins and grandparents, but mine were all in Germany. I saw them only a few times in my life, but I cherish the moments.
Have a happy day!!
❤ carmen
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