Andrea Remembers Sheri

Dear Abbey and Ava,

You probably won't completely understand what your mother means to me until you are grown women, enjoying the love and friendship that comes with your sisterhood. You are so lucky to have each other, just as I was so lucky to have your mother in my life.

With our first Memorial Day since your mother's death just around the corner, I have been thinking about her non-stop. No matter where life takes you, there are a few things I want you to remember about your mom.

Your mother loved you. Most of our conversations (via phone, e-mail, Instant Messenger, or in person) were about our children, balancing our careers with our desire to care for our children, and things we could do to be better mothers. Your mother took a particular interest in my children before she had her own, and when you both came along, I got to hear all the stories about you. I once got a call from Sheri when she was on her way home from work. She wanted me to hear Abbey singing, "Drive My Car" by the Beatles. It was your favorite, Abbey. And I heard very early on, the joy Sheri had about the upcoming birth of Ava. We talked regularly throughout the months before you came, and she was very excited to have you. Those were the things we shared--a love for each other and our children. Your mother loved you, and I love you too.

Sheri and Skylar

(Skylar and Abbey)

(Melissa, Sheri, Andrea, and kids)

(Abbey, Andrea, Ava--on our "boat")

Andrea with her "favorite girls"

Your mother valued an education: Your mother was so proud of her college education. She worked hard to graduate from BYU. She felt that every woman should obtain an education and use it to benefit her family. That is what she did, and it is what she would want for you. One of my favorite memories of college life was taking Geology 100 with Sheri. Neither of us cared for the material, but we liked studying together--if you want to call it that. We basically would buy lots of candy from the bookstore (chocolate jelly sticks for your mom and sour salad for me) and eat and laugh. We passed the class, but mostly had a lot of fun. When I graduated, a year after Sheri, she came from out of town to support me.

Your mom had a testimony: I knew your mom had a testimony. Even though we didn't talk about it all the time, I knew from her actions that she did. I was there when she left for the MTC to serve her mission, and when she came home. I remember one day shortly after she came home from her mission, I was looking through her Book of Mormon and noticed how marked up it was. I started quizzing her. I'd simply say a chapter and verse, and she knew exactly what it was about! I was so impressed that she had that type of knowledge of the book. I knew she must have spent hours reading it. I was at the temple (waiting outside) the day she married your dad, and she was at the temple (inside--lucky me!) the day I married Uncle Nate. I helped her pick out the blessing dress that you were both blessed in. These things were important to her and she would want them for you.

I learned so much being the younger sister of your mother. She taught be about the fun things in life--music, movies, and "girl stuff" (I'll tell you what that means when you're older). We went shopping together, ate ice cream together, and swapped recipes. We also shared the important things in life--our children and our beliefs about relationships, God, and life.  I loved her with all my heart and miss her. Please girls, try to be kind to each other and continue caring for one another. Believe me, your sisterhood is one of the most precious gifts that you have been given.

Love,

Aunt Andrea