Anneke, when you were born, joy!
Saskia bursting with love, kissing your little head,
so excited to share you with the world.

When you were born, music! Piano! French horn! Shofar!

When you were born, friends you hadn’t met yet were being born too
and your hearts all heard each other and began smiling, knowing
the relationships that were waiting.

And now we can’t remember a Thanksgiving without name cards
meticulously dreamt and planned and brought to life by you.

And that Easter dinner when you, affectionate toddler, made your way
to every lap around the table so no one felt left out.

“All this love does something for me and I’m sure it does for others as well.”

You, Anneke are love.
And that does the best things for people.

Your tight hugs are healing. Even Rusty agrees.

You are a connector.
Of musical notes. Legos. Pets. People. Hands. Prayers.
Ikea shelves.

Flexible traveler, encourager of creativity,
you are fearless in what you believe.
Fearless in your ability to look at both sides
and hold them each within the truth of light.

You insist on solution and you persist toward solution
and they are the strongest of wings, those two things.
They will carry you far into this life.

You are clever, On-knee-key.
You are a keeper of peace.
And pencils.

You are dedicated. Focused. Brave.
And seriously silly. Seriously.

Your belief in love, even when
others try to convince you otherwise,
inspires us when we are next to you.
So we always want to be next to you.

“Sister. Soulmate. For better or for worse.”

“You were my first real friend.”

 “My life would not be the same without you.”

  “A millimeter or miles, it doesn’t matter. We are friends for life.”

                           “You are one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.”

You make friends with the world Anneke,
and so the world will always be your friend.

   “You are a bright light in our lives.”

  “ A smile as bright as the sun.”

 “You help me to look at the bright side of things.”

“We share ideas and work to shine a light on the best one.”

“Your light is so strong.”

You are a leader of kindness, of light.
You shine and soar.

 Anneke, this poem is all of our love.
This poem is us tooting your beautiful,
un-extinguishable horn.