The Christmas Letter for 2006

All of you should get one in your card, but just in case I forget someone, here it is!

Merry Christmas!
~~ Rayne ~~


The Cendrowski Family

Christmas 2006



Dear friends and family,

I always start my letters with our family’s greatest gift and this year is no different. Our greatest gift this year brings us much sadness and much joy. Our greatest gift this year is our very special and precious Guardian Angel Bob.

Our Bob is spending his first Christmas WITH Jesus and what can be so bad about that except that we are not with him. Bob’s long and arduous fight with Hodgkins Lymphoma ended on May 4th when Jesus brought him home to be with him. I have to tell you that I believe that Bob was as pain free and comfortable as he could be and that he passed peacefully in Pennsylvania Hospital. We had discussed this time in great detail and it was more comfortable for him and me that he be in the hospital rather than at home and his desire was that we all not be around when the actual “homecoming” occurred and so all of his wishes were met. There are NO words that can convey how our loss has affected us but we continue on our life’s journey charged with the fact that Bob has once again gone to our next home before us to get ready for our arrival one day. We feel no less connected to him or a part of him; he’s just not in a place where we can now communicate. This doesn’t mean we don’t talk to him or make him a part of our days adventures. We miss and love him very mush but we are LIVING.

Jordan is 13 and in the eighth grade! Hard to believe that she is taller than I and that she has turned into a beautiful young lady. She is president of our school’s student council and once again is making great grades. Now in her 5th season of The Nutcracker, she is still an avid ballerina who passed her first PROFESSIONAL EXAM in the Cecchetti method of ballet. Additionally, she is a member of the Honors Choir and is also in the all school chorus . Her plans are to audition for the All School Play in the spring. We hear it is going to be Annie this year! I couldn’t be prouder to have such a smart, talented and beautiful daughter and I know she makes her Daddy proud as well.

Jonathon is 18 and a FRESHMAN at Andrew College in western Georgia. He loves it and is doing well with all the pressures of being away from home, grieving, and adjusting to college and its demands. He came home for Thanksgiving and will return in about 2 weeks for a long winter break. He is majoring in Physical Education and hopes to teach in a high school environment and coach golf…his first love. I am extremely proud of him and happy that he has taken up the challenge to further his education and I know his dad is also.

Matthew is 22. No that’s not a typo! Matt finished 3 years at our local community college but hasn’t decided what he wants to be when he grows up!! As a result he has decided to follow his dad’s footsteps and join the military. Tell me his dad isn’t boasting with pride!
Matt leaves for Parris Island on January 17 and will spend 12 grueling weeks in the US MARINE Boot camp. Afterwards he will go to AOI and will be trained to be a journalist or paralegal. Once he attains the rank of E-4 (about 2 years) he will finish college and then continue in the Marines as a 1st Lieutenant. Not a bad plan of action for a young man who wants to figure out his life’s path. He is excited and after the initial shock of it, I am thrilled for him too. Please keep him in your prayers as he embarks on his new journey.

I am still teaching full time at our township middle school. I took a leave of absence last spring to take care of Bob, but was right back at it 5 weeks after his death. I’m not one to sit around and feel sorry for myself. I have always felt like the speed of the leader is the speed of the pack and I needed to set the example for the kids and other family members who are comforted to know that we are okay. I am very involved in an online support group for young widows and have enjoyed meeting faces of my friends at various “Widowbagoes” around the country. I traveled to Phoenix in October and will meet up with nearly 100 widows in January in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s great to have friends who “get it.” I am still am the resident Taxi driver and Chief Chef and I even get to put in a quite a few hours as Bookkeeper and housekeeper. Do I sleep? Very little!

Our wish for you all this year is very simple and honest. We hope that your lives will be filled with love, joy, good health and peace and that you will not ever forget to hug and kiss those that you love and care about. Life is a very precious gift that should never be taken for granted. We love you all and think of you and pray for you daily. Happy holidays from our family to yours.


With Love,
Laurayne, Matt, Jon , Jordie and Angel Bob