Carla became part of the Joy’s House family years ago when her husband, Ray, became a Guest at Joy’s House. He was tall and handsome. He was talented and smart. He liked to talk about motorcycles and the love of his life. Which we understood because once you met Carla, you couldn’t help but to fall in love with her too.

Carla’s unique mix of tenderness, raw honesty and pure love make her irresistible. One of example of this is hearing her talk about Mr. Ray, or Raymi as she so affectionately refers to him. As she says the words her voice softens and her head tips just slightly, “I have learned that grief is the price you pay for having loved someone so deeply. I said goodbye to Raymi a lot of days and in a lot of ways.” At the end of his life, Carla had the courage to bring her beloved Raymi home for his last days. He was able to wrap himself in his special quilt made of precious photos and memorable motorcycle t-shirts. He was able to spend his las moments in his own home with the woman he loved the most.

In the months and years that followed, Carla explored her own journey and healing. And much to everyone’s delight, she is now on staff at Joy’s House. Who better, really? Carla gets Joy’s House. She knows what it is like to be a family caregiver. She understands what Joy’s House really means to the families who rely on us for services. She knows what we need as an organization. And when you ask her about coming back to Joy’s House, she’ll tell you that she never really left. Just one look out of her office window to the garden, hearing the Guests laughing with each other and seeing the looks on their faces, “I do this because it is so heartfelt and I get to carry on Raymi’s legacy. I don’t know if I will get to do it forever, but I sure am lucky that I get to do it right now.” Us too, Carla. Us too.