Life as Thank You 29

Marianne,

My life is so much better because I went to Forest Home and met a girl named Marianne who became my lifelong friend and encourager. You are one of the nicest treasures God has ever given to me. I am so grateful for our friendship and the legacy it has created. This year I am writing thank you notes to people each week to tell them how grateful I am that they are in my life. Though we have never lived near each other we have managed to maintain an amazing friendship that has caused me to know the Savior better and has impacted all of my other friendships before and since. Thank you for sharpening me, laughing and crying with me, praying for and playing with me. We have had so many creative adventures. I am blessed by you, George and the girls (& now their families) and I want you to know that I pray regularly for you all and I thank God every time I think of you.

Over the years our friendship has been a topic in both ministry and with my own kids on how to have and how to be a friend.  I still think we should write a book about our story. I love how time apart and lack of daily conversation does not change the depth of our friendship  – we just pick up where we left off!

May God bless you with every spiritual blessing and with friends as wonderful as you are to me.  I love you, Marianne.

And Happy Birthday!

Miriam