Kally Shiner-Nunes
My Dear Brother, Our bond was made when you came home from Vietnam to see your new baby sister. Though you were twenty years my senior, you never took lightly your role in my life. You always made time for me. Talking to me about everything from bullies to boyfriends, music to philosophy, politics to religion, and sports to traditions. My favorite moments: As my confirmation sponsor…reading the bible with you in preparation for my confirmation. You picking an appropriate confirmation name for me; Reading endless books and articles about Vietnam and helping me extract the information I needed for my term paper in 11grade. I learned more from you than all the books; Ohio holiday traditions and family picnics together; The way you danced on the dance floor like no one was looking; In 2000 we both experienced life changing events. In your grief you reached out to me and my children. You mentored my children, consoled them, understood and validated their feelings. You stepped up and stepped into our life with love an understanding. Making every minute count we went to Sanibel every year to find sea shells, have a picnic at the light house, stopping at DQ and (once even Chee Burger), and walking the dogs(even Daisy loved you). I will never forget your star fish. We went to Busch Gardens, watched their holiday shows, got soaked on the water rides, and finished with fudge. You loved going to the Shell Factory and watching the dancing waters with us. We always waited to see the newest Christmas movie with you at the theater. You brought joy to our home at Christmas time with movies, games, ginger bread houses, cookies, crafts, music (you and Kalina getting Kalidia to conform to country music. You Swifty!), reading the trivia on the Christmas music station, decorating inside and out: the lights, the train, the all important advent tree and after Christmas Mass with Santa placing the baby Jesus in the manger, you would put the 3 kings on the house projector…your favorite finale. You will always mean so much to us. You always called us your Angels but you were our Angel. Now you have your wings and a halo! We LUV you too. Your Angels, Kally, Kalina and Kalidia