An Absolute Gem

Earlier this year, I got connected with an amazing little gym called The Fitness Studio.  I had walked by it for years, usually on my way into Eastport's famed bagel shop and finally decided to go and check it out.  It was there that I met Kim, the gym's beautiful, energetic owner and fitness instructor.  We built a friendship and I started taking her amazing Zumba classes.  In the months to follow, I continued to take classes and slowly built a growing love for fitness.   It was there that I also had a chance to meet this wonderful woman.

Her name was Ruby and I thought that she was pretty incredible.  She was kind and strong and confident and had awesome hair.  I remember distinctly thinking that at some point, it would be pretty amazing if I could be a little bit like her someday.

After The Fitness Studio closed, I continued to pursue good fitness and also was able to keep up a bit with Ruby and some of the other friends that I had made at the gym.  In April, I joined up with her one day at To the Core Pilates and was able to snap a few shots of her as she taught one of her classes.  It was so fun to see her energetic, fun approach to fitness and her passion for teaching and helping others.

Tragically though, while out running yesterday, Ruby was involved in an accident that took her life.  I could not believe my eyes as I read online about the accident and tried to process this devastating news.  

My heart and my prayers go out to Ruby's family and friends today.  She was an absolute gem... a beautiful woman who lived and loved and inspired others to do more and to be better.  It's so hard to even try to process the sadness of a life cut short so soon.  Please join me today, in lifting up her family and loved ones as they work through this incredibly difficult time.