Precious Day

Well, today makes the 36th "Precious" day of our lives.  We're spending it without "Precious," but we may see one of the Seattle Sounders biggest fans tonight on ESPN2 when the Sounders play the Los Angeles Galaxy for the league title.  

Annie told us the other night that we should be sure to watch this important soccer match because the Seattle section will be comparatively smaller than LA's, and that we should be able to see her when the camera pans the fans. 

So, we'll probably be watching, and during this day, we'll probably be thinking of many of the "Precious" memories of our lives with "Annie Love of Sandpoint, Idaho."

That's what she used to tell people when she was about the age depicted in the photo above with our beloved and ever-patient horse Tiny. 

I don't know if she still spouts that personal identity out in all her worldly travels, but like everyone who becomes a child of the world, so to speak, her roots are still firmly planted here where she was born on a beautiful October day in 1978.

She loves to come home, eat Second Avenue Pizza, play with her dogs, take the 4-wheeler for spins around the place, visit with friends and family, do some geocaching and take in all that "her own private Idaho" has to offer. 

Folks who met Annie, even at a young age, were amazed at her can-do outlook and her quickly learned skills.  

One friend, who's in to psychic thinking, said she had a special aura, the first time she saw Annie as an infant.

Her Aunt Mary once remarked about the scenarios----how Annie could always envision how things were going to be----and that she acted upon that knowledge. 

My mother was amazed by her years ago when we ran a food booth in conjunction with one of our horse shows.

"I couldn't believe how she could make change and wait on the customers so efficiently," Mother often reflected.  

Annie was about 9 or 10 at the time.  

As parents, we've seen different stages of Annie AND, yes, different behaviors.  

For example, the same kid who trained for months as an adult to climb Mt. Rainier and later Mt. St. Helens with her dad often---well maybe all the time---expressed her objections to family hikes when she was younger. 

We were pretty convinced she wasn't a happy camper sometimes.

Well, these days she welcomes any opportunity to go camping.  To say she embraces adventure is an understatement.  

These days a host of Annie fans, both family and friends,  live vicariously through her "on-the-go," world-traveling lifestyle.  And, sometimes we get to go with her, e.g., New Zealand, Maui, Ireland, etc. 

And, of course, this weekend, she's keeping up her traveling trend, exploring Los Angeles and playing in Disneyland.  

To say we are proud and thrilled to have Annie as our daughter, as our "Precious," is beyond understatement. 

Thanks for all the "Precious" memories, Annie, and here's wishing you a phenomenal birthday celebration and may you enjoy the same sunshine that embraced our world the day you were born. 

Maybe we'll see you on TV tonight, and for sure, GO SOUNDERS!!!