In Loving Memory of Baba

Our beloved Baba was sweet, caring, and fiercely strong,

fighting her dementia with stubborn grace until the very end.

With her beautiful green eyes and signature ladybug pin.

She brought a warmth to our lives that we will carry forever.

Whenever we see a ladybug, we will smile and remember her gentle spirit.

Though she is gone, we still hear her voice whispering her favorite words to us from heaven

“Mucho, mucho”. 

May the angels watch over you Baba, just as you watched over us.

-Araneh Adelina Sanchez

Our dearest Baba, sweet and kind,

The biggest heart we’ll ever find.

Whenever a tiny ladybug flies,

We’ll see your smile in the skies.

Rest in peace, in the soft hues

We love you mucho, mucho, too

-Araneh Sanchez

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine

You make me happy when skies are grey

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken

So, I hung my head and I cried

“I LOVE YOU! YOU LOVE ME!

You are in the stories we share around the table, and the gentle way this family loves.

You are in the quiet moments of the afternoon, the spaces in between our words, and every bright little ladybug that’s lands along our path.

Thank you for a lifetime of unconditional warmth, and for the lingering laughter at the front door the way we never wanted to say goodbye,

always chasing each other for the final word in our endless games of “ I love you more” tag.

You might be resting now Baba, but you won the game.

The beautiful love you left behind stays with us, always.

Mom you are everything I could ask for in a mother, you were loving, supportive and stern when needed. You are the heart and soul of this family the love you showed us was endless. We are left with great and joyful memories that we will cherish forever I’m grateful for the time we spent alone laughing and crying. Thank you for welcoming Mirella into the family and treating her like your own daughter. Mom even though you are no longer with us, you are with us in our heart and spirit. I know if I need you for advice I just have to look up and say Hi momma. Like always I’ll hear yes Mijo in here for you. Now you get to be with Stacy who I know was waiting for you with her arms open and her beautiful smile. Please give her a kiss for me and tell her I love her. Thank you, Momma, for everything you did for me, Mirella and our family. You will always be missed and always remembered.

Love you always Mucho Mucho.

Tribute to Sandra, 

On March 22, 1981, I opened my eyes for the first time. I was greeted by the loveliest smile I have ever seen, from the most beautiful woman I have ever seen: my mom, Sandra.Some people wonder if guardian angels truly exist, but I have never had to wonder. I know they do because I was lucky enough to have my guardian angel as my mother. She was a beacon of strength, love, and compassion, acting as my steady guide as I navigated this world. No matter what life threw my way, my mom was always there for me. She was my anchor. She taught me to treat others with genuine kindness and respect, but she also made sure I knew how to stand up for myself. She gave me both a generous heart and the strength to protect it. Every single day, she modeled that balance, and every single day, she made sure to tell me how much she loved me.

But as much as she was my guide, she was also my favorite person to just be with. She brought so much joy into my life. We used to turn on music and just dance around together, shaking off the weight of the world. Some of my absolute favorite memories are the simple times we spent late at night, watching TV, talking, and laughing. We would laugh so hard together that she would snort, and that sound was pure, unadulterated joy. I am endlessly grateful for those dances and those quiet nights, just as I am grateful for the chance I had to look her in the eye and tell her everything that was in my heart. I got to tell her how much I loved her. I got to tell her what a truly great mother she was to me. And I got to remind her that her parents would be so incredibly proud of the woman and mother she became. Mom, your physical presence may be gone, but your guidepost remains. I will carry your smile in my memory, our late-night laughter in my heart, and I will honor you by walking through this world with the same integrity, respect, and strength you taught me. 

I love you always.

Ladybugs and Goodbyes

Two daughters by love, not by birth,

Stand softly beside her gentle smile.

Her kindness bloomed in every day,

A mother’s grace that lit their way.

Now as they part,

hearts full and tight,

They lean down and whisper thanks near her heart.

And when a ladybug drifts nearby,

They’ll smile and say, we love you too.

There is a beautiful saying that a mother is a son’s first love. Standing here today, I know just how true that is. Mom, you were my very first home. You were the first person to make me smile and laugh, the first person to comfort me when I was hurt or sad, and to love me unconditionally.

Mom was an extraordinary woman. To my siblings and I, she just wasn’t the center of our family; she was our home, our guide, and our greatest blessing.

Mom poured her entire heart into raising us. The home she provided was full of warmth, love, and unforgettable memories, the dedication she brought into our home has shaped who we are today, her influence will live on through us forever.

As I look at my own life, I realize that the best parts of who I am are because of her. By watching the way she lived and sharing moments with her together, I learned what it truly means to love, to sacrifice, and to be present for those you love. She taught me how to be a good husband and father, showing me that real strength lies in devotion, patience, and unconditional love.

Mom taught my siblings and I to be kind, to look at the world with empathy, to help those in need, and to lift others up. But she also taught us to stand up for ourselves, to never back down from doing what is right, and to be a voice for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves. Traits all needed to survive in this world but to also help make it better.

Being first born has its perks 😊Everyone knows just how special our bond was, they used to joke all the time about how I was always your “Mijo” and never did any wrong 😊 No matter how old I was or how much my siblings teased us about it, I wore that title like a badge of honor and will continue to do so. It was our own unshakeable connection. It’s the same bond I recognize between my wife and our first-born Lil Ruben. Girls, mom loves you just as much as your brother in her own way, unique to each of you; it’s a first-born thing, get over it 😊 Thank you mom for welcoming Herica into our family and loving her like your own daughter, it fills my heart with joy to know the two of had such a loving bond.

As I grew up, it became my absolute privilege to protect you, to laugh with you, and to stand by you. Being your “Mijo” and being able to love, care, and comfort you through your final moments—has been the greatest honor of my life.

You were my very first love, Mom, and I will spend the rest of my days living in a way that honors your spirit, your grace, and your undying loyalty to family and friends. Thank you for your endless love. I will miss you terribly, but will carry your strength, your kindness, and your lessons in my heart every day. You are at peace now with our beloved Stacy, Nana and Papa whom I know you’ve missed dearly. I know their beautiful smiles and warm hugs.