What can I say about growing up with you? Obviously, Heather and I picked on you more than I wish we had. We gave you a bad time when we shouldn't have. I'm sorry for causing you pain growing up, but take comfort knowing that despite all the razzing you have grown up strong and confident. And luckily, people grow up and mature, and now I have nothing but pride in calling you my sister and love spending time with you.
You've grown up into a beautiful young woman, it's no wonder you have 60 year-old men asking you out left and right at the Billings and Missoula athletic clubs (not to mention Ol' Dirty Five). Honestly, you have the ability to make a person feel special when they are with you. You ask random, probing questions that make them feel important and interesting. You smile and laugh genuinely and often, giving others a lot of comfort. You tell funny stories. You radiate.
It's been fun watching you mature so much in the last few years. Now you are the one dishing out some of the wisest pieces of advice on this blog, encouraging everyone to keep the right perspective on health. You understand that what is at stake is loving ourselves and loving others, not fitting some other person's notion of health or fitness or beauty. I love that you are able to say all this from a deep well of experience, to use your experiences - positive and negative - to inspire and encourage others. We as your family are so much better for having you in our lives to show us these things.
I love you Hannah. Thank you for always sharing your unique personality and perspectives with me. Thank you for being genuine, optimistic, and (sometimes painfully) random. You keep us all smiling and laughing. Stay healthy, and please keep teaching us all what that even means.
5 comments:
hannah,
i don't know that i can find words to do you justice. you're so great and loving and kind. you're all the things caleb said. you're supportive and wonderful. you're funny and random. you're beautiful and sweet. i love how loving you are. i love how you deal with all of us. :)
you're such a great auntie. such a wonderful sister. such a wonderful friend. i just love you to pieces! i also loved the year we got to live together in missoula - it was so great and will always be some of my favorite times with you.
that and throwing you in the shower with all your clothes on. you were approximately 7. i was in BIG trouble.
i love you soooo much!
~ heather
Hannah is probably one of the most thoughtful people in the entire universe. I think she has the unique ability to know exactly what would make another person feel better. We all love this quality because of the way it benefits us, but I think sometimes it is to Hannah's own detriment; she forgets that she is valued and important also. One of the great things about this blog is the way we are supporting and affirming each other, and I think we are about 22 years behind the times with Hannah. Everyone else in the world has recognized her exceptional qualities! I don't think any of the rest of us will ever be national award winners or be the feature story of a magazine. We take Hannah for granted; she has raised the bar for the rest of us.
Hannah, you are a natural caregiver. We fought for years about who was going to be Ben's actual mother, as you well know. :) I think we both did a pretty good job. I think you will be a great teacher or nurse, or who knows, maybe even an attorney! You are a beautiful person, inside and out. I am so glad you are my daughter and friend. Thank you for helping me whenever I need it, and thank you for your perseverance during tough times, and for making the good times even better. I love you lots!
Mom
Family,
Thanks so much for your kind words, to quote Heather, I am welling up. You all know I am an emotional person and this is certainly tugging at my heartstrings. I love you guys, thanks for being so good to me and for loving and supporting me.
Hanny,
From the BBQ Gang to Like Totally Yeah to the BAC and Peak, you certainly keep things interesting. I have enjoyed watching you with Evey and am most grateful for the time you were able to be with Heather while I was in Helena.
Even though we give you a hard time, it wouldn't be the same if you weren't always keeping us on our toes.
I am always impressed by your loyalty to your friends and family.
Keep up the good work and being such a genuinely nice person.
BS
Hannah,
What can I say. I love ya. You are such an amazing person.
You are so kind and generous with everyone that is important to you. You are always willing to take time from your schedule to spend time with others. You make everyone feel important and significant when you are with them.
I love that you take me on crazy runs on the Rims when I am in town. Only you would be able to convince me of something like that. I hope that you will always have that care free spirit in all that you do with your healthy life.
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