I remember that when I was very young, from about the age of 4 or 5 until I was in high school, Ann lived with her mother and father and her brother JoJo next door to my grandparents, Pauline and Lenon Hill.  I remember thinking that we must be related because Ann's family was also named Hill.  But, we were not related.

I still felt like Ann was my cousin because I spent so much time visiting with her and Mrs. Hill.  Their home was always open to me and my real cousins when I visited my grandparents which was almost every day.  I remember playing games in the summertime, catching lightening bugs and putting them in jars; playing rock school, hop scotch, roller skating, and trying to learn how to ride a bike.  Ann was older than I was and did not "play" with me but she always treated me with kindness.  She made me feel special and always had the nicest things to say to me and about me. 

I thought Ann was beautiful.  I admired her.  She, in my eyes, carried herself the way a young lady should. Ann was elegant and graceful. I thought she looked like a fashion model.

Ann was the same age as my brother and one of my cousins who lived with my grandparents.  Being teenagers, they did not want to be bothered with me.  But Ann always took the time to be nice to me and I loved her for it.  

I will miss her and will never forget her.