As she continues to grieve theloss of her mother Naomi,Wynonna Juddhas a solid support system to lean on — with none more supportive than her husband.
Judd, 58, opens up to PEOPLE in this week’s issue about her special bond with Cactus Moser, 65, whom shemarried in 2012after decades of friendship.
“He’s the most tough and tender man I’ve ever been with that I trust,” she says. “We are so connected. It’s crazy how connected we are. I trust him with my life, which, I can’t always say that about men in my life.”
Cactus Moser and Wynonna Judd.Jim Wright
Judd, who kicked off The Judds: The Final Tour on Sept. 30, was married twice before she and Moser started dating in late 2009. They were engaged on Christmas Eve 2011, and it seems the third time’s the charm, as the “Why Not Me” singer says the drummer is the reason she continues to feel hope.
For Judd, having the drummer on hand to talk her down has provided a world of relief, especially in the wake of her mother’s death in April.
“Sometimes I just need to stop and take a breath,” she says. “I’m so hard on myself. I was always taught to do it better, do it better, do it better. And sometimes he’ll say, ‘Honey, your best is good enough.'”
Wynonna Judd on the cover of PEOPLE.Jim Wright
As she heads out on her arena tour, Judd is also making room for another love in her life: granddaughter Kaliyah, who was born just two weeks before Naomi’s death.
“Somebody said, ‘Are you angry?’ I said, ‘Hell yeah, I’m angry. My granddaughter was born 12 days before she left. I have anger,'” recalls Judd, who is mom to 26-year-old daughter Grace — mother of Kaliyah, 6 months — and son Elijah, 27, with first husband Arch Kelley III. “But then I realized… that there’s some real joy there and to celebrate the joy as much as I can. That’s part of the reason I’m doing the tour.”
Judd will stay on the road through Oct. 29, and hasrecruited country starslikeMartina McBride,Faith Hill,Brandi Carlile,Little Big Town,Ashley McBrydeandTrisha Yearwoodto join her.
For all the details on Wynonna Judd’s journey through grief, pick up the latest issue ofPEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.
source: people.com
