...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
Annmarie and I met in 7th grade at Fremont Junior High and we have been best friends ever since. From the beginning, Annmarie was my protector, encourager, cheerleader, and she was able to sneak me into any place I wanted to go...and some I didn't! We have so many memories, lots I can share and lots I can't. Just suffice it to say....there but the grace of God go I!
ReplyDeleteJust as Kathy said, Annmarie is the most generous, fun-loving person I know. Her generosity extends to just about anybody - friends, friends of friends, strangers on the street, anyone who is in need. She has been there so many times for me over the years and I don't know what I would do without her in my life.
One of the things I love most about Annmarie is that she is the same person no matter who she is with. She isn't pretentious in anyway and treats everyone as a friend. Her authenticity is what makes her so special.
So on your 45th birthday (are we that old??) I want to say thank you to you my best friend! Thank you for all of the generosity, kindness, laughter, tears, hope, gifts, and love you have given me on this journey called life...
Love you - Tracy
I will always remember my dear Sister Annmarie as my Father's greatest joy. He loved his daughters with all of his heart, but always felt so much pride for Annmarie. She is independent, thoughtful, caring, and kind.
ReplyDeleteIt was the year 1983 that Annmarie gave me the most beautiful doll I had ever seen. It was twice my size and I wanted her with me at all times.
This Holley Hobbey Godzilla doll annoyed my mother so much as I had to take it everywhere. But, never the less, I loved it so much that Ann came to our house and I always wanted to be like her.
When Dad passed she was the mother that Kelly and I never had. She helped me memorize the Table of Elements when I was taking honors Chemistry my senior year of high school. She would help me memorize these elements and their abbreviations with silly names.
I will never forget the effort and love that she contributed during some very hard times.
Annmarie is by far the most admiral woman in my life. She is the rock of our family, without a single doubt!
Annmarie is the glue that has held the Johnson Family together. Thank you Ann, thank you.
I worked for & with Annmarie at ColorSpot and she was always looking out for me and my Best Interests!! She had faith in me and always pushed me to my limits to improve myself. I have many wonderful memories of Annmarie and I would not be where I am today without her guidance and mentorship. Happy 45th Annmarie, I hope we'll see each other again soon!
ReplyDeleteForever your friend!! ~Anita
Maryalice Pittman July 15 at 6:27pm.
ReplyDeleteJuly 31st, 2010. Annmarie Johnson's ----birthday. Did you notice I bleeped out the actual amount? July 31st, 1960. My wedding day. I was married five years before you decided to be born. Oops!!! Folks that know their math just figured out how old you are. Sorry bout that. But seriously, you are an awesome person. I have been blessed to have you in my life. May your special day be the best ever & the most fun.. Celebrate in style. With lots of love, Maryalice (Grandma/Mom or what ever)
I've known Annmarie since I was fresh out of the womb but didn't really get to know her until I was older. As a kid we would see Annmarie at family functions, holiday gatherings or our dad would take us to see her at whatever Home Depot she was running at the time. She would always give us cool gifts for our birthday or Christmas or just for fun. Just like our dad, she is so good at making people laugh and a great storyteller also.
ReplyDeleteWhen Annmarie moved from Dana Point to Peoria, AZ to be with Joy and I my life would be forever changed. I had just turned 13, lost my most favorite person ever, and my world felt like it got flipped upside down. Annmarie came in, loved us and kept our lives as normal as possible. I'll never be able to thank her for all that she did for me. She endured a crazy custody battle with my mom, two hormonal teenage girls, and all that comes with raising teenagers... But we did manage to have a lot of fun and I became very close to her. She showed me what it meant to go on the lam, she took us on trips, to concerts (how many 13yr olds get to see Jimmy Buffett?), came to my volleyball games, played a million games of Yahtzee, and took good care of me when I was sick.
Years later when I ended up back with her again in California, our relationship grew even further. She made sure my high school years were the best. She was involved with every aspect of my school and for that I'm very grateful. She encouraged me, supported me, trusted me, sacrificed for me, and loved me. We stayed up many nights at the top of the stairs just talking and talking about anything and everything. All my friends adored her and thought it was so awesome that I got to live with my sister. They were right. She is nothing less than amazing. Looking back, those years in Carlsbad were the best.
To this day she is my go to person for just about everything. I can't imagine what my life would look like without her. She has taught me so much over the years and I am so glad she is my sister!
Happy birthday Ann! Thank you for all that you have done for me and all that you still do for me. You are the best!
Love you! --Kelly
I met Annmarie back in the day when I was a Department Supervisor for The Home Depot. She has been and is still to this date the most influential and inspirational leader I have ever had. I was blessed to have her enter my life at a time where I needed someone to give me that little push and direction that I was in need of, and Oh did she ever give me the pushes. Thanks to Annmarie I have found that direction and I have traveled a little farther than the DH position since then, she promoted me to ASM back in 1995 and I have now experienced a lot more of what the Home Depot has to offer. This psst June marked 19 years with the Home Depot and wearing that Orange Apron.
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie has and will always have a special place in my heart. She has been a leader, mentor, and most importantly she has been a friend. Someone that will be there when you make silly mistakes, and there with you during the times when you do things well. Although we don't talk often, I know that she is someone that the next time that we do talk it will seem as though we haven't missed a beat.
I know I can say with confidence, those that really know her would all agree that we are blessed to have had that pleasure.
Happy Birthday Annmarie!!! As always wishing you the best in all that life gives you,
Aaron Kilgore
Myra Trolese, July 27 at 11:10pm Report
ReplyDeleteAnnmarie,
You are a tonic for the rest of us. Normals, trapped somewhere between our egos, personalities and facelifts. Real values always seem to emerge wheDearn you're around, anything less, and....get ready, the jostling will begin. I have to gear myself up when I know you're coming to town; the laughs, the hugs,A and the 'The Look' you can turn on to glance inside just about anyone. Oh Lord, anything but cross mental swords with this laser thought process. But why does everybody feel so much better with your friendship? Maybe because it'll go the full 9 yards, and set all of us a little more on course.
Remember when we brought the clan to call? 16 years, slipping out from the S.D. allure. But my kids, "Dad, we hear you're from San Diego, lived in Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, even a year across the street from Big Rock, why are we buried in Managua?" So,WE went for a visit.....and you moved out of your house, stocked the fridge with all the goodies that shoot my cholesterol through the roof, and the kids are nuts for. THEN, "Hey uncle Bob, here's the keys, use the car". So I go into the garage expecting.....a Dodge Dart? Come out after drooling over the gleaming red, convertible, mint condition '66 M'Stang with 40k on the mileage. "Are you sure Annmarie?", "Hey, they're just for driving".
Maybe you were made for south of the border and still can't fully admit it. Cheap beers and, ......Ah, no, no, sunny beaches, colonial architecture, and great steaks. And we do need our Annmarie therapy ever so often. We began as the new kids on the missionary block in Nicaragua....30 years ago. Now we're the roaming dinosaurs, but just knowing that we've got you as a pal; well, it helps us keep our hands on the plow. Annmarie, Matthew 25 says that when it all comes down, we'll be gaged by- drinks of water, bites to eat, visits ' to the least of these'. Concern for other human beings, you've been that for a lot of us. And, it's tough for the constitution of a steam roller to choose the lowest seat in the house. You hide your humility pretty well, but it still slips out. So it's tough not to smile when thinking of you. Joy, Freedom, Responsibility and Vision are just a few of the gifts you've bestowed. In addition, of course, to this computer I'm trying to scratch out a thank you letter with. I've got the feeling that the next 45 are going to make these last ones pale. I'm excited, you stumbled into a Calvary Chapel thinking it was a shopping mall, ...looks like Peter being called from his net repairs. 'The Look' is a glance that seeds life into many.
Thanks Annmarie,
We love you very much
Happy Birthday
Bob and Myra
Annmarie, You bring a light into our lives with a twist of lime. We must have first met somewhere between the shopping mall and Juanitas taco shop a gazillion years ago. As for me you plopped yourself down next to me at a women's retreat and from then until now I have been your counselor/financial advisor (ha) and friend.
ReplyDeleteWe have enjoyed a lot of laughs together over some good meals and patio times. We experienced a few missionary adventures into Mexico and south to Nicaragua that touched our lives forever. We saw in wonder how God touched your heart for the orphan kids and for the missionaries that love on them every day. You have a big heart for the underdog and a generosity that helps to lift the spirits of us all.
A few Annmarie impressions stand out in our mind, like when you road up into our driveway on your neighbors Harley with this ghost look on your face that seemed to say "What the.......am I doing on this thing? I nearly killed myself on the way over and now I have to go back !" Or the time you mentioned when you owned a little speed boat and you decided to go for a joy ride to Catalina with a few friends with out a compass and a full ice chest of adult beverages, "You did what?"
We love you for who you are. You are one of a kind and no one comes close. Your are like family with a big heart that loves us deeply with expressions of generosity from Poinsettia's, electronic gizzmos to dinners out. You are amazing.
Remember you are close enough to my daughter's age that I could have been your daddy, but let's not go there.
We love You, Happy birthday!
Ed & Nora
My Dear Ann,
ReplyDeleteIf you are having a get together the first person you invite is Ann! Ann makes everyone around her feel like life is good! I love Ann. She has been part of my family for 30+ years!WOW! Ann and Tracy(my sister) became friends back in 7th grade and have stayed best friends all these years. She has been here for the good times and support and comfort through the bad times. She is strong, funny, intelligent, caring, giving, creative, and a great dresser! I can't imagine my family without her in it. It's just the way things are suppose to be.
Happy Birthday Ann Marie-We love you!
Mickey, Darryl,Josh, Chris, Jeremy, Sam, Zack and Molly
Dear Annmarie,
ReplyDeleteI'm more than a little humbled to be able to join with your dear friends and family in wishing you a great birthday. The truth is we've met just once, but somehow when things happen in Nicaragua they take on just a little more importance - at least to me! Of course it goes without saying that anyone who loves and cares for Bob & Myra is tops in our book. So I knew at once that you were a "good egg" :) (or should I say "huevo?")
But sitting in Bob & Myra's backyard paradise I felt kinship set in quickly. Your intelligence, honesty, ability to zero right into the heart of what matters....and let's face it - your willingness to admit complete dislike for crafting - I knew I met someone I wanted to be friends with for the long haul.
I hope you know that you gift many, many people with your friendship. You are a blessing and balm to the soul. I look forward to wishing you many, many more happy birthdays.
Peace & grace,
Katie Adams