See You Later-Amy Calderone

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http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/amycalderone

One of my best friends passed away at 10:59pm, January 17th.  I've known her all 17 years of my life, and this parting is hard.

Amy, I am jealous of you.  You got to be in heaven before me.  It always was a contest between us, and now you've finally won.

Amy, I remember officially meeting you when you were 7 and I was 6.  We were seeing if Catherine could play.  We both came from opposite ends of the street and met up at her house.  We both ding-donged the door.  But alas, she could not play.  Then you had the brilliant idea of playing together, and we sure did.  We played for 10 whole years.

I remember your birthday party sleepovers with millions of girls sleeping in your family room.  We watched Little Princess.  The moon was full.  The floor was hard.  We played an evil prank on Stephen with paper bombs.  He made us believe that it was comfortable.  We thought we had failed.  Your brother, Dan, juggled a lot of juggling balls that morning.

I remember those many times we made a fort in your back yard with sticks and pine needles. 

I remember trading little items like mushrooms, bark, flowers and other random things we'd find in the neighborhood.

I remember those neighborhood game nights where we played Kick the Can, Ghost in the Graveyard, Werewolf, Murderer, Cops and Robbers and Man Hunt.  We were so scared of the woods when we played Werewolf.  I remember the sounds of you shouting out names of people you found or scheming plans to get people out of jail.

I remember our many clubs.  S.A.M.- which stood for Sophie, Amy, and Madeline-Camille.   There was the one that we made with a language.  I got caught by the boys club but had forgotten how to say ‘help’ so I yelled out of the door asking you how to say it.

I remember spying on their Red Eyes club. 

I remember when we planned out the Neighborhood Olympics in my back yard and the lower court hosted it.  I kept my medal to this day.

I remember when we rode bikes in the mornings for a few years.  One of the mornings you were late.  I had gone around the block a few times alone, but the last time I went around there was a car.  I pulled to the sidewalk and saw my crush of the year walking the dog.  At the same time I saw you getting on your bike and I forgot about the car.  Calling your name, I pulled out into the street and ran into the car.

I remember going to your house just so I could clean your room. 

I remember always asking for Jiffy Peanut Butter on a spoon.  You gave me a jar of peanut butter for my 17th birthday.

I remember being so light that I made chairs go up and not down when I pushed the adjustment button.  We always laughed at that.

I remember, every winter, making snow forts and having snow ball fights with you and everyone else.  Everyone would have pink noses and red cheeks.

I remember listening to Phantom Tollbooth for hours and latch hooking together for hours. 

I remember drawing Hawaiian Dancing Mailboxes. 

I remember getting my first Taco Bell with you and some people a few months ago.  On the ride home we took tricky ways home just so we could talk about how God was working in our lives. 

I remember when we went to see How to Train Your Dragon with your family and Monica.  We went crazy in the car.  We matched Stephen up with girls.

I remember when we formed the Sneaks.  You, Debbie and I.  Shadow, Sly and Stealth.  We sneaked Elizabeth for her birthday last year and stole her from her house.  We shot our first real gun that day.  We did a Char.  I got two more ticks.  We surprised Sarah for her birthday by dropping items at her house without leaving a name.  You and Debbie surprised me before school started.

We took friends down to the dam together and made them climb to the top.  We took walks all the time and talked about life.  You asked me the same questions.  I had answers and you gave me scriptures.  You told me about your glass and sand comparison.

I remember late nights watching movies and cracking up about every little thing. 

I remember when we would dance with each others brothers during neighborhood power outages under the moonlight.

I remember when some boys were telling you that there was a White Pepsi Polar Bear outside your window at 11pm.  You never looked.  I went up to look for you.

I remember your love for mushrooms and that mushroom story we made up together.

I remember bonfires at Jennas house.

I remember those numerous days when you had me over for a back rub and talks. 

I remember you running into Geometry to give me the song, "A Little Longer" by Jenn Johnson.  I cried in class because it was so good. 

I remember all the years that we were in choir together. 

I remember going to your house to hear your song.  

I remember you winning. 

I remember performing it on stage with you during choir.  

I remember doing an interpretive dance to the song, “I’ll Fly Away.”  You laughed at my flying. 

I remember all the songs you composed and showed to me.

I remember when you made me sing for you, and how much you encouraged me. 

I remember your constant teasing during the play.  Stephen and I were married in one scene.  You teased us for life. 

I remember matching you up with some boys, and you matching me up with some boys.

I remember when you and Madeline-Camille came over one night to give me a gluten free meal.  It was the first real meal I had eaten that day, and it was very good.

I remember growing older, having birthday parties, going away parties and tea parties. 

I remember your laugh and that smile.  Your scowl with your hands on your hips.  The letters of encouragement.  Your hugs.  Your brown eyes and how they glittered when we talked about heaven.  Your jokes that backfired on everyone trying to justify themselves.  All your career choices and changes.  Your long brown hair.  How pink dresses looked so good on you.  Your genuine care.  How long your quiet times were.  All of your joy.  How you drew even the quiet people out.  How you touched millions of people in the last month.

You taught me many things.  You helped me become a stronger Christian.  You would listen to me talk about my problems and how I had trouble solving them, but always, when I stopped talking, you would point me to God and His word.  You helped me during my trials and always pointed me heaven-ward.  You held my hand during the hard times.  You prayed for me.  You made me have more long quiet times.  You've had the biggest impact on my walk with the Lord.

You would be so happy to know how much God is helping me through all of this, and how much I am going to grow in my relationship with Christ and how strong it will be.

I will miss you so much.  I will miss you in my class this semester.  I will miss you at your house.  I will miss you at church.  I will miss carpooling with you.  I will miss your hugs and smiles.

I'm so happy that you now see God after following Him all these years.  Thank you for everything.

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1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Psalms 147:3
He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds.

White shore are calling, you and I will meet again- Into the West

We can cry with hope, we can say goodbye with hope 'cause we know our goodbye is not the end.  And we can grieve with hope 'cause we believe with hope.  There's a place where we'll see your face again. -With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman

Finally, the voice I have followed for life has a glorious face that is lit up with light. And You'll come for me. No more pain, peace; no more fear, release. Just lost and consumed with my glorious King. -Come For Me by Charlie Hall
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When I saw her yesterday (the day before she passed), I talked to her and held her hand.  I told her how much I will miss her and that I love her.  In parting, I said three simple words.  "See You Later"