...and I've known Annmarie since she was born. I am four years older than her, but we've always been tight.
If I had to describe Annmarie in one word, it would be FUN! But besides being fun, she is the most thoughtful and self-sacrificing person I know. If you are fortunate enough to be in her huge circle, you know that she would do anything for you. Some people say that, but she means it.
Annmarie is one of those people that lights up a room and you can't help but notice that she's there. If you can't see her, you will definitely hear her...and there will probably be a large crowd around. She's funny, witty, crazy and then there are her stories. She reminds me a lot of my dad and his stories. He supposedly knew everyone and was best friends with all of them. I can't even imagine how many friends Annmarie has, but I'll bet there aren't a whole lot of places that she could go where she doesn't know someone.
The second word I would use is generous. I can't tell you how many times Annmarie has been there for me...and not just when I needed something. I can remember in her early Home Depot days, she would call and say, "I got a bonus and I'm sending you a bone". She knew I was always broke, so she would pay for me to go visit her and then pay for every single thing that we did. If I tried to pay for something, she wouldn't let me. She was like my fairy godmother...my little sister!
My sister has put her life on "hold", or at least on the back burner, many times. She became a "mom" to our two younger sisters, Joy and Kelly, when my dad died in 1994. That was what he wanted. She was 29 and literally became a parent overnight. The life she knew would never be the same. Now, she would have to put two people before herself in any decisions she made. After Kelly graduated from high school and moved on...she was then free to pick up where she had left off. That is, until June of 2006, when Annmarie moved back to Mesa to be closer to Sierra, our brother's youngest daughter. This time, no one asked her to do it, she just felt like it was something she needed to do. If for no one else, for Sierra's mom, Robin, who died in September of 2002. Instead of just being closer to Sierra, Annmarie bought a house right down the street from her. That way she could fill in for my brother when his job as a firefighter didn't permit him to take and pick her up from school and/or take her to activities. She made sure she knew Sierra's schedule and that someone was always there for her. Sierra would stay with Annmarie when Buddy worked nights,and eventually moved in with her permanently. Next, Sierra's brother, Ryan, moved in to help when Annmarie was out of town for her job. After Sierra graduates next year, Annmarie will, once again, be free to resume her life.
With all of her responsibilities, she still manages to be at all of the important functions...birthdays, track meets, fund-raising events and even volunteering to be a missionary for her church.
To me, Annmarie is Superwoman and I want to be just like her when I grow up!
I would love each of you to write something that comes to mind when you think of Annmarie. Please include when and where you first met her. And please include pictures if you can. I would like to keep this a secret from her, so don't post it anywhere except here.
Thanks so much...Kathy
