Dear Elisa

Dear Elisa,

Life may be busy and hectic and chaotic at times, not allowing us to spend as much time as we would like with each other.  However one thing is certain…you are one of my favorites, and here are just a few of the reasons why.

1. You are two months older than me.  This means each year as our birthdays approach I feel like you soften the blow just a little.  And as the number gets higher, that blow needs to be softened just a little bit more.  Here’s to 33!

2. We get to raise our daughters together!  What a true blessing!  To have someone that not only parents similar to myself, but has the same values that are being taught to her children is a gift.  I hope our daughters are the best of friends as they grow up and choose to encourage and love each other the way we do.

3. You are careful with your words.  I so admire this about you.  The words that you speak are the ones I wish I spoke two weeks ago, before I said something I wish I hadn’t.  You are careful and you choose them wisely…something I work towards daily.

4. You are what I like to refer to as “quiet hilarious”.  You don’t strive to be the center of attention, so when you sneak up with some of the funniest things I’ve ever heard, people are always a little surprised, including me.

5. You are brave.  I know that you don’t always feel like it, but the way in which you have conducted yourself throughout your diagnosis is admirable.  You have faced each test result, surgery, and treatment with grace and determination.  Four months ago we claimed Hebrews 6:19 as our own, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”  I am so thankful to be one of your anchors, and even more thankful that you are one of mine.

You are kind, thoughtful, considerate, my canning buddy, and the one I can always count on to bring more than a half eaten bag of chips or a 2-liter of soda to one of our get togethers.  Thank you for being my friend!

Love,

Annie

That’s my sweet friend Elisa on the left, radiant as always!

*If you haven’t read about the letter writing challenge I’m doing for the month of June, you can here!  I hope you join me and find some time to write some encouraging words to the people you love in more than a quick email, or a short text.