God's Gift...Amy
Being from a small town like Vidalia, there are new students that enter into the school system as their parents take relocation for jobs, only to leave a short while later. So you adapt to being friendly, but not, too, attached. Not the case with Amy Lou!
I remember vividly the day that Amy entered into the classroom, she was tightly holding a binder closely to her chest as she walked swiftly and quietly to an empty seat near me without making any eye contact. I was so intrigued as I admired her beautiful hair and presence, and could just see something definitely special and unique. Little did I know that what I saw was a gift from God sent to become a very big and important part of my life.
It was almost instant that Amy became much more than a friend to me, she was a sister that God knew I needed to help me along my path of life. Our bond was strong from day one, and as the days passed we became able to tell what the other was thinking without a word exchanged and our times together were filled with endless chatter and laughter. Amy's smile, happiness, and ability to always see the positive was simply contagious, and her beauty not only showed on the outside, but beamed brightly from the inside.
Our families attended the same church, and we were inseparable when life didn't have us in different directions. I loved being there to cheer her own as she sped down the basketball court and she loved being there to cheer me own as I clogged and performed with the VHS Sound Tribe, only to look forward to spending even more time together afterwards, as we always planned out slumber parties and weekends filled with us being side by side right through to the end of Church on Sunday night.
Amy became my role model, I wanted to be as beautiful she was inside, possess the loving and uplifting nature that made others feel the weight of the world lift from their shoulders on even the darkest days, and have the happiness that showed in her magnificent smile. She never missed a chance to tell me how beautiful I was to her, but I knew that she was much more beautiful than I, and always replied with, "Not as beautiful as you," which always ended with a direct eye contact moment with her telling me that I was beautiful and not to ever let any one ever make me believe any different and she meant it. Of course, laughter would fill the room as I would say, okay, okay, then she would hug me tight and tell me how much she loved me. I would smile as I thought of just how great it would be to be as beautiful as her, or even just half as much, but just said how much I loved her, too, because she would have it no other way.
I learned so many things from our time together, the biggest being how to have enormous faith in God and give love unconditionally. God always has the perfect plan for each of us, and I cannot express how much the events that have taken place over the time of Amy being in my life proves that tremendously. I could list all the perfectly laid out events, but it would take a book to tell them all.
The one most on my mind is how Amy and I used to visit my Aunt Ginger, who lived just below Oak Grove Baptist Church, and all the good memories during those times. My Aunt was married at Oak Grove, and I spent many Sunday mornings filled with happiness and love in Sunday School at Oak Grove while I was visiting my Aunt on the weekends. So as Amy was laid to rest with Oak Grove in view across the street, as sadness filled my heart knowing I would not have another moment with my precious Amy here on Earth, the good memories of times at Oak Grove and my Aunt's house filled my mind and heart and a smile came through the tears, as I was looking at proof of God's perfect plan.
Each time I visit Amy in her garden, I have a sense of peace and enormous faith, because God knew the pain I would feel in my heart, so He granted that location to ease my heart while making His presence greatly known, so as I stand visiting Amy Lou, I am blessed with all the good times spent just a few steps away with the knowledge that Amy is rejoicing in Heaven, just as we were told each Sunday morning as we sat side by side on the Church bench listening to the word of God being preached loud and clear.
God's perfect plan, included me being given a perfect gift of such a fantastic friend and sister....Amy Lou.
He went on to plan Amy's garden right in the middle of thousands of happy and love filled memories in a place where we felt safe, loved, and most of all, blessed by God for each other.
God is magnificent, and as that beautiful butterfly fluttered into Heaven to trade her wings for that of a Heavenly Angel....the Heavens surely became more magnificent as her beauty shown brightly among the clouds.
I love you, forever and always, Amy Lou! Thanks for being my gift from God.....I am extremely thankful for being blessed with you by my side for such wonderful years.
