is my friend.  Whenever I need a listening ear, I can count on her.  After my baptism, my wedding, building a house, a new job, the birth of my two sons, showers, illnesses, or the death of a friend, she is there.  After a conversation with her, I walk away feeling like the most important person in the world.

When I was a little girl, my family lived in an apartment building in Germany.  The little girl next door became my friend.  We would sit in the hallway and play dolls.  Her friendship made a deep imprint on me.  For the rest of my life, I've been attracted to friends like her.

is older than me, but not old enough to be my mother.  We first met when she came down to Anchorage from Fairbanks.  I was twelve years old, and she was twenty seven.  I don't recall our meeting, but Bess does.  She told me, "I liked you right away."

The most important connection that we have in common is our love of the Creator.  I am often hesitant to speak freely about my feelings when it comes to religion and God.  Many people want to argue theology or doctrine.  I can do that, but I'd rather talk about the beautiful relationship that God offers to people who reach our for his friendship.  There is nothing that I can't share with Bess, but the spiritual conversations we have are the best.

and I aren't best friends.  She has other friends, and so do I.  But when I have troubles, she's the first person I need to talk to.  Whenever I have a special triumph in my life, she's the first person I want to tell.

Choosing the
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updated link 06/03/03