Dear Anne Mary,
When you were little, we thought you might be slow. You were so very quiet. Long after all the children your age would have been speaking in full sentences, you barely spoke. Then one day you started to speak in full, perfect, easy to understand sentences. And we stood in awe.
You got sick. So very sick. So many long nights with high fevers, coughing, high blood pressure.There were tests, and long hours in hospital halls and waiting rooms. Once I sat in the hall way at Kosairs and to keep you content, you wanted me to sing. Four hours I sang the Chorus of :Open the Eyes of My Heart because I was too tired and wrung out to recall the lyrics. After months this way and after no relief, the doctors sent us to Riley Medical Center. On the way there, I prayed for God to heal my little girl and take away your pain. I promised if he did, I would promise to raise you to love and serve Him all the days of your life. That night you were miraculously healed. And we watched in awe.
From then on, the whole goal of my education for you was to know the Lord. And you were so easy to teach about him. You were amazing at scripture memory. You fell in love with missions. You have a heart for truth and the gospel. I can think of no higher compliment. I treasured all those things in my heart.
Some of my favorite things about you: The way you give way to the needs of others, and yet, have learned to set healthy boundaries. I love how you stand firm in the areas of truth. You don’t carry tales, you don’t partake in gossip. You are a minimalist (which I would love to be one day!). You step up when a need is presented. I can always trust you to offer help to one in need, and yet, not offer it exceedingly to the one who needs to go it alone.
I love how you are always thankful. I can not recall a time I have driven you anywhere, made you a meal, bought you anything, even corrected you without you thanking me for it.
I love your music. I love you playing piano. I love you playing violin. I love your singing. I love that you can pick up an instrument and figure it out pretty quickly, even though you are modest and refuse to take credit for knowing something until you think you can master it. I love sitting next to you, singing along while you play and sing at the piano. I love singing in the car with you and letting you choose music that we belt out. I love watching you learn to hit all the high notes. I enjoy recital times when you play the same song over and over in order to perfect it. 
If I had to summarize life with you, here are some of the words I would include:
Joy. Jesus. Music. Missions. Study. Love. Loyal. Personality tests. INTJ, Introvert. Quiet- except with music!! Consistent. Thankful. Lonely. Sherlock. Godly. Runner. Hesitant. Neat. Tidy. Teachable.Willing. Confident. Timid. Melancholy. Genius. Math. Writer. Downton Abbey. Psych. Self-disciplined. Minimalist. Honest. Subtle. Humble. Quietly Stubborn. Fierce. Strong. Beautiful.
I am so thankful God gave you to me on loan. You are one of my favorite people in the world.
I love you,
Mom
