Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Adrienne!


My parents and Adrienne's parents were good friends, both in the same ward, and both expecting their first babies at the same time. Adrienne was born on May 11th and I was born two days later, on the 13th. For the first five years of our lives we were best friends. Our moms, along with several other moms, rotated teaching our preschool class each week. We both went to the same dance class. I remember that our teacher Miss Tania would end the class by having us lay on our backs, with our hands flat on the floor next to our ears, and have us use our arms and legs to lift up our torso so that our back was arched and our stomach in the air. Anyone able to hold this position, and hold it correctly while waiting for her parents got a bright circle sticker on her tap shoes. Adrienne's shoes always had the most stickers. Always! I was so jealous of all those stickers and could never catch up. On my 5th birthday my family moved away from Vernal for a year. When we moved back we were no longer living close to Adrienne's family and I didn't see her much again until middle school, where we quickly struck up our friendship again. From that time forth we always called each other our "almost twin" since we were almost born on the same day. As a child Adrienne was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, but she never let it get her down. She was always happy and had a gift for making those around her happy. She and her mom were close, and Adrienne definitely got her sense of humor from her mom. We went to an awards dinner once in Jr. high and my mom and I sat with Adrienne and her mom Candy. I still have the letter that Candy sat and carefully wrote to me on the paper table cloth, complete with border. Adrienne's arthritis was a set back for her, but it didn't stop her from doing what she wanted to do. In high school she joined the drill team as their manager. I remember finding a picture of us, along with my brother and a couple of other friends, sitting on the stairs at my house. We were probably about 4 years old, and Adrienne was wearing a dress while sitting in an unladylike position. I brought the picture to school to show her, not realizing that the flash of underwear would be such an embarrassment to her. Her face went bright red and she tried to steal the picture. It still has the corner torn off from us fighting over it. But that was Adrienne...always very done up, and pretty with her hair and make up perfect. Nothing amiss, like her underwear showing! When we were in middle school my mom suggested that I give all of my friends Mormon Ad posters for Christmas. At $.50 each, this was perfect for my budget. I had previously asked Adrienne what she wanted for Christmas and the only she would tell me, over and over again, was "your eternal friendship". One of the Mormon Ads in the package showed two girls looking down a dirt road. It said..."Eternity is a long time so take along a friend." When I saw it, I just knew that it was the perfect gift for her. This "gift" has so much more meaning to me now because on August 9th, 2004 Adrienne died from heart problems, probably stemming from the arthritis that she had as a child. I will always remember Adrienne and the wonderful friend and example she was to me. I love you Adrienne and Happy Birthday up in Heaven!

8 comments:

Mandy said...

This was beautiful, Aspen. What a wonderful tribute. I think of Adrienne all of the time. She was a very special person. I too, have many special memories of her. We became friends in 2nd grade. Anyway, thank you for posting this!!!

Happy Birthday Adrienne!

Jamey said...

Okay, I don't even know this girl, but I got goose bumps and teary eyed as I read this. You have a way of writing that just sucks you right in!

Linda said...

What a beautiful, tribute, Aspen. I hope Candy sees it.

Robin Conner said...

Thank you for posting this. I loved Adrienne so much. Her personality was contagious. I worked with her at K-Mart and we'd always eat bar-b-que pringles in the break room. She also loved salt and a ton of it on her fries. She was so funny! I was devastated when I heard of her passing, but I know she was almost too good for this earth life and her special spirit was needed more in heaven. Thanks again for posting!

Happy Birthday Adrienne! :)

M. Nelson said...

Never before has a Mormon Ad been more fitting. This was so touching. Thank you for sharing.

kimbob said...

you do always have the perfect wording to capture your reader. What a wonderful tribute to a great friend!

Peggy said...

I had to laugh at Robin's comment-I was eating Salt & Vinegar chips this week and thought of how Adrienne loved them. I can remember sitting around visiting and eating them on many occasions during our high school years.
I loved the comment about the picture when you were younger and her being embarrassed about her underwear showing. I can totally see her reaction! I swear she never had a hair out of place. :)
Thanks for the post-it is always good to remember Adrienne and I enjoyed hearing about your friendship with her.

Grammahaha said...

Aspen, what a totally awesome and wonderful tribute! I love it! Your mom just directed me to this and it just gave me such a lift. I think of Adrienne constantly, and it really touches me when I find out that she is on others' minds as well. I means so much to me that she's remembered. I love your stories, and reading them makes me feel like we are all back there, reliving those moments and enjoying them so much. I miss her sooo much, it's hard to imagine still that she's not coming back. But things like this really help me, and make me appreciate what a great daughter we really have...and that we do still have her. We just have to wait a bit longer. You are awesome, Aspen! Thank you so much!!

Love, Candy