Thursday, November 01, 2007

Happy Birthday to Our Dearest Annette!

A while back, Annette gave me, her sister, Lisa, the “keys” to her blog, in case I might ever need to use them. Well, today I’m feeling the need to break them out. Hopefully, she won’t regret too much that she gave me those keys.

Annette is having a birthday today- Friday, Novemeber 2.

Now anyone who knows me knows I am a big fan of celebrating the birthday. Weeks before, I am already letting my family know that my birthday’s coming up and how I want to celebrate. Presents are a welcome affair. I don’t get those people who don’t want anyone to know it’s their birthday. I want to shout it from the rooftop. Why? Because they’re fun. Because they’re reason to celebrate. Because it’s a great time to reflect. Because I love presents and cake.
Annette’s birthday gives us pause to do these things. To have fun, reflect and celebrate the gift of Annette.

Annette is not only my dearest (and only) sister and sibling. She is also my friend. She is someone I admire greatly. So many adjectives come to mind when I think of Annette. Here is the short list that pops into my head:
Warm
Caring
Genuine
Loving
Fun
Funny
Smart Witted
Intelligent
Hard Working
Classy
Loyal
Courageous
Brave
Faithful
......and just overall FABULOUS!

Annette has struggled over the years with many hurdles and “bumps” on the road. In fact, at times, I think she’s been broadsided by a transport truck more than once. Yet through it all, I have never heard Annette complain.
Never.
Ever.
Through physical and emotional pain. Through countless procedures and surgeries. Through nauseating (that’s an understatement if ever I heard one) and debilitating treatments. Through times of adjustment and learning. She is the bravest person I know and the person I admire most in this world. Her inner strength is amazing. Her perseverance is admirable. Despite it all, she still cares how others are doing. She genuinely feels badly if someone else is hurting. Amazing. I work towards having a fraction of her positive inner strength.

Many people have come to know Annette through her journey with cancer or Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). She is touching many lives. However, she does not let cancer define who she is. It is just like Annette to use this obstacle in her life and turn into a blessing and something that would glorify God.

Annette, on your **mrsdionf** (hand covering mouth) birthday, I wish you strength, peace and all the love you deserve. I love you.

So now I ask you all to come out of lurkdom and tell Annette that you love her too! Let’s make this the biggest blogging birthday party out there! Say hello, happy birthday, tell her what you love about her… your choice. Let’s show her how much she is loved!
Lisa
(the much younger sister – sorry, didn’t think you’d get through a birthday without that did you?)

52 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Aunt Annette,
You are the best aunt ever. I could never have another one like you. I love it when you push me on the tire swing. I love you.
Sara

Unknown said...

Dear Aunt Annette,
Me say nothing except I love you. Bye bye, see you next week on Sunday.
Connor

Anonymous said...

That is the sweetest most wonderful thing I have read - what lucky women you both are! May you have a most wonderful birthday Annette and we love you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette! We love you and you are in our prayers every day. Big Hugs and Hi-fives from Brant and Katrina xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to an awesome and inspiration lady.

All my best
Katharine

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a wonderful sister you have Annette!! I love you greatly my friend!! Have a fun filled, excellent birthday!

Love Susan

Jan Steck Huffman said...

Happy Happy 41st birthday Annette! For some reason I had Nov 4th on the calendar. Hope you got the book, and there is another surprise coming from many of us!

Love you!

Michelle said...

Annette - wishing you the best birthday!! You are an inspiration to so many of us. You are in our prayers every day. All the best to the family as well.

Love,

Michelle - Matthew's Mom

Me said...

All I can say is wow...what an amazing sister you have. You are BOTH so lucky to have each other. I was so touched by reading this post.

Happy Birthday Annette. I hope you have a wonderful, awesome birthday. I hope to see you Sunday

Lacia and Kaia

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Annette!! You are such an inspirational woman. I hope you have an amazing day.

Christina M said...

Happy Birthday Annette from Christina and Prince Vince in Austria!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Clare

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette!!
Wonderful blog message Lisa. Sisters are wonderful aren't they!!
Enjoy your day
Take care
Your cousin Lori

Chewy Mom said...

Happy birthday Sweet Annette! I hope you have a wonderful, joy-filled day!

Unknown said...

*~*Happy Birthday Dear Annette*~*

I hope you have a Magical Day....filled with every delight and special treat and moment you can imagine.

You truly define the definition of friend....and of Mother.....and of Sister....and of Wife.

I love you dearly.

Peace and love, Tara Marie & Emma Sage

Shannon @ Gabi's World said...

Happy Birthday Annette!

I hope you have an absolutely wonderful day and man I wish I had a sister as wonderful as yours. You can really hear the love for you in her post.

Happy, Happy, joyous Birthday!

All 4 My Gals said...

Annette,
You are an amazing woman and I am blessed to call you friend! Have a great day honey! I love you! Nicole

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette-
I agree with your lovely sister, be proud of your special day and go shout on rooftops today. Celebrate and enjoy your day!
Your friend from T21 community
Terry

Betsy said...

Birthdays definitely need to be celebrated!!! Have a great day, and let everyone treat you like the Goddess you are! :) :)

Happy, Happy Birthday!

Betsy

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday Annette! We hope that you have a wonderful day, full of hugs and kisses from your best guys!
Love,
Melissa, Bill, Thomas, Kaleigh, Garrett and Braeden

Anonymous said...

Annette, I hope you feel much love today as you give so much of yourself to others...you are an inspiration to so many ...God bless you with strength and peace ...I only know you thru your parents but feel I know you so well thru your blog...happy birthday...Fran

Anonymous said...

I wish you a wonderful birthday and hope that you don't feel pain at least today.
Best,
Sophie from France

Karen said...

Wishing you a very happy birthday Annette!

Love, Karen (Connor's mom T21)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette, may this day bring you joy. Today is your day to enjoy in your own special way.
What an absolute blessing it is for you to have such an amazing sister.
My present to you is "THANK YOU" for the pleasure of getting to know you. As the kids these days say "YOU ROCK".

I wish you continued strength and joy.
Always in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless
Chris (Melyssa's Mom)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette.

All of our love,

Miss E and Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Annette! I hope the day is as wonderful as you are. We love you!

Now Assisting You said...

Happiest of all the Happy Birthdays to you Annette!!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette!
Your sister is wonderful and you are both lucky to have each other! You are an inspiration to many and you do it all with such diginity. You are an amazing woman! Love you!
Happy Birthday and enjoy your special day!!!
Love,
Shawn, Kaitlyn and Jake

Michelle said...

Happiest of birthdays to you Annette! Hope you are celebrating in style!

What a beautiful birthday tribute that was to read too!

Kitty, Nathanael's Mom said...

Happy Birthday Annette!! I hope this is a year of excitement, exhilaration and much laughter!

You are truly a great inspiration to me!

{{{hugs}}} Kitty (Nathanael's Mom)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette!!!

May your day be filled with joy and love, lots of family and friends and the best birthday smooches from your boys. I pray the coming year is one of healing and hope, you deserve the very best life has to offer!! Your sister is amazing and I pray that you are able to enjoy the day in a special way with her!

Hugs and love to you!
Julie, Emily and Cameron

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to be celebrating your birthday with you! I hope you have the most wonderful day, filled with love, family and friends. Sending you lots of love, hugs and happy birthday wishes!

Robin and Chloe

Kei said...

Happy Birthday dear friend!! Love you bunches & bunches!
Kei, Robert & family

Anonymous said...

Hi Annette, this is Steve and Lisa's cousin Darci-Happy Birthday from all of us. We pray that you had a great day-You and our daughter share a birthday today!
What a great day to celebrate!
lots of hugs, darci,eric,madalyn, rhys and seth weinert

Anonymous said...

Dear Annette
So glad Lisa told us it's your special day today, a special day for a special person indeed. I too stand in awe of your inner strength and your close walk with the Lord in your days of joy and in your sadness, may this day be a very special one for you and Tom and your two special boys. Love Peter & Susan Nauta

Stephanie said...

Happy Birthday. May it be blessed with warmth and love for you

Stephanie and Aiden

Amy Flege said...

happy birthday annette! i hope your day is great!!
birthday hugs,
amy and mayson

Anonymous said...

Annette,
Happy, Happy Birthday girlfriend!

You and your sister are so blessed to have each other! I hope she gives you a great present :)

Stephanie (Katie's mom)

Anonymous said...

Hey Annette,
Just wanted to wish you all the best and a great, big Happy Birthday!!!
Take care and have fun today!

Kim and Katie from T21

Anonymous said...

Hey Annette, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Wonderful idea, Lisa. Glad you were able to post... and such an inspiring post, at that.
Back to Annette, Wishing you a birthday filled with balloons and cake and music and laughter and friends and family and FUN!!! I agree with Lisa-- birthdays are meant to be celebrated! God's blessings to you, Annette. You are an inspiration to us all.
Alice in Alberta

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, dear Annette!

I have very fond memories of celebrating your birthday with you when we were MUCH younger than we are today :-)

Much love,
Lynn BF

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette! Lily and I are so very blessed to know you and we are hoping you have an amazing birthday! We love you and think the world of you and keep you in our thoughts and prayers daily! Words alone could never capture the wonderful, beautiful and amazing person that you are! Thanks for being there for me and Lily through many of my trying times! You are a blessing and we have been blessed to know yoU! Sending lots of birthday hugs and smooches your way!

Love,

Lisa and Lily

Unknown said...

As usual I'm late to the party!!! But know that I've been thinking about you all day and sending you birthday wishes!!

I love you girlfriend!!! And party like it's 1999......ROTFL

Christina said...

Hope your day was as great as your friends say you are! Be blessed!

Anonymous said...

Dear Annette
I have been thinking of you ,Lisa ,your dad and femily so much these past few days . I am not the best at expressing my feelings but most definitely want to join in to wish you the best of birthdays .
Love Aunt Ann

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette! It is wonderful to find you and your writings! Best wishes!

Anonymous said...

A huge hug and a " HAPPY BIRTHDAY " to you !!! I hope it was a great day for you...thinking of you !! Jen & John

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Annette!!!! Hope you had a wonderful day!!!!! What a blessing to have a wonderful sister like you do!!!!

Belen

Anonymous said...

Wishing you the happiest birthday ever, Annette!

Lisa said...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend and a very happy birthday celebrating the amazing woman that you are Annette! We love you and continue to keep you and your family in our prayers. Wonderful, true words from your sis with a cool name...how blessed both of you are ;) Thanks Lisa!

HUGS! Lisa, Jim, Jamie and Cori

Anonymous said...

Happy belated Birthday Annette!
It sounds like you had a great day!!! After that amazing birthday party last year ... it looks like your birthdays keep getting better and better. You and your "guys" are always in our prayers. Love, Andy, Allison and the kids.

Anonymous said...

Dear Annette,
Just read this blog today, Nov. 11 and cryed. Your sister is so right about all your wonderful qualities. You are a very strong wonderful woman and I hope your birthday was as wonderful as you are. Thanks for being a true friend. I love you.
Coby