I had hoped to write this November one thing each day that I was thankful for. So as I sat here pondering early morning, early morning, on the first day of November, where to begin, where to start this month of thanks... someone came to mind.
This is Amber. Oh, the simplicity of that small sentence. How vague it must be to you, but to me it speaks volumes. Today is her birthday. I have thought of and remembered Amber every year on her birthday since we became fast friends in the 5th grade. We haven't always stayed in touch, but I have always thought of her.
Amber was like a sister to me for many years. She traveled with my family on summer vacations. One of which was here, to San Antonio, for Fiesta, when we were what 12? 13 Maybe? I cannot take a riverboat ride downtown and see the rock wall outside of La Villita and not think of Amber. Oh the memories.
Remember when I fractured my tail bone and couldn't walk?
Remember the hours we played Nintendo?
Remember the walks home from school?
Remember when I fell through the wood bridge into the icy water?
Remember the scorpion that crawled on my pillow?
Remember doing make up in the car?
Remember the innocence?
Another time that I think so strongly of her is when I think of my baptism. By then we were not so much the closest of friends, but we were friends. And she was a valuable part of that process and decision of my life. I remember being invited to her house on General Conference weekends. Hmmm... missionary work at it's finest I see now.
Losing touch with Amber was not planned but finding her has been good for my heart. I cannot imagine the joyous reunions we must have in Heaven, if finding someone on earth means as much to me as it did to reconnect with her this month.
I sense that she has had more than her fair share of trials, heartaches and struggles over the years and I wonder, how I could have repaid my debt to her, repaid the kindness if I had been there, kept my baptismal covenant to bear burdens with her.
She is a special person that has grown into a beautiful women, wife and mother. She is talented, intelligent and has the best smile of anyone I know. I am indeed thankful for her, her testimony, her friendship, her charity - for it played an influential part in my life. And by touching my life, she has touched so many others my dear friend Amber... so many, many more.
Happy Birthday Amber. And thank you from the bottom of my heart.
1 comment:
You are such a little cutie and you so know how to make me cry on my birthday!!! I remember all the times, but I remember laughing when you fell into the ice and I remember you being so mad at me for laughing. I must admit I still do that same kind of thing and it's not funny, but that is my "ought oh!" Mechanism,I guess. You know we were really almost like sisters. Because we spent every day together.. I was always at your house. Your family was so good to me. And we teased each other like sisters too. I remember the day the missionaries came to my house and asked me to go to your discussions. I remember thinking. "You have to ask Dixie if that is okay." I also remember not wanting to influence you to get baptized. I wanted you to make the decision on your own. I didn't want you to feel peer pressured into it. And do you know what, I think your baptism did more for me. I remember you telling me about reading the Book of Mormon. That has stayed with me all these years. I really don't remember inviting you to conference, but that is just what we did as a family. My husband travels a lot for work and everytime he goes to Texas I think of that vacation. It was a blast!! I have the pictures to prove it too. Dixie, even though we have lost touch, your spirit has always been with me. I remember right after I got married and we went to the temple together. That was a great experience for me. You are an amazing person and when I read about how your family is doing I am just amazed. I can't say that I didn't see it coming. I think you were the first person who really taught me about computers and I remember sewing class and also home making class too. You are a great mother and you have so much heart. I am so glad that you are my friend.
p.s. How are your kids with Nintendo, because you beat me every time!!
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