16 September 2003

Dear Family and Friends:

It’s amazing how quick the seasons change. Autumn is already upon us (we’ve already passed through spring and summer). It’s dark until 6:45 AM, and all is still. The birds must be sleeping, knowing winter is around the corner and they will need all their energy to survive the cold. The chill in the air now is distinct from the spring; cold days are ahead kind of chill in the air. Soon, the leaves will be turning and falling from the trees. Olivia would rustle through the leaves and play with them; she would crunch them in her hands and make all the pieces fly and soar in the air. Wheeeee!!!

It seems just like yesterday the birds were chirping at 5:15 AM and the sunrise was at 5:58 AM. Olivia would smell the crocus; the daffodils just barely started to bloom and the tulips had a way to go. We would stop and listen to the woodpecker in the distance, and watch the birdies eat their food. It was too early for the robin to appear, or at least, we didn’t see him yet.

During the rain, we would run, because we would melt. However, after the rain, we would stop and look at the worms that had surfaced on the pavement. Yuch!!!  Yet, we were able to splash in every puddle – it was only water.

We would hear an airplane in the sky and wait until we could see it so we could wave to Daddy. Sometimes the sun was too “shiny” to see the airplane, but, we knew it was there and Daddy was on it. We would still wave.

On “windy” days, Olivia had a hard time keeping her hat on her head and would put her hand on her head to hold her hat in place. Olivia had over 20 hats to choose from and thoroughly enjoyed choosing which hat to wear and then wearing the chosen hat of the day. It was something that made her special; Olivia knew it, we knew it, and everyone knew it.

On Tuesday, September 16th, we will fly a kite, and run in the wind. Olivia will be right along with us. In the evening we will continue to celebrate Olivia’s birthday at her favorite restaurant, Mexican, of course; not only because of the “bitch and sauce” but, of all the tropical birds on display.

Olivia always gave us sunshine and rainbows – she continues to shine down upon us to let us know she is happy. Olivia was not only our daughter, an angel in training; she was our best friend. A real angel now walks amongst us in our heart and memories; and, will be beside you when you need a real friend or strength.

Raise your glass on Tuesday and say, "Cheers!" We will be toasting Olivia and she will be toasting right along with us.

Blessed Parents,

Gary and Linda (and, Moose, of course)