"Tell Me About Your Annette Ornaments"

One of Annette's web friends posted this on the blog. I have asked their permission (and hope they say yes!-I just had to share and couldn't wait for their answers...)to share their stories and pictures here. Annette loved them all so much!

Anyone pulling out your holiday decorations and thinking about Annette? I know I am thinking of all of us so far in distance from each other but so connected as we display our memorials to Annette. Share your stories please..... Shannon

I met Annette only 1 time in Indy. I remember her smile. Annette's face glowed love. Also she was thankful to her husband for taking her on the trip to see her friends. Karol

One year Annette sent me a Pewter Angel and throughout the year it hangs on the rod iron of my dresser and it was bittersweet to carry it to the tree, here she hangs on my tree.... Belen

Yes, yes, yes,I have the angel that B made last year that is my connection to Annette. I was thinking I might ask him to make me one to symbolize my FIL, too. It is so beautiful and special. I will always cherish it. Chris

My secret Santa last year sent me a beautiful pottery angel!! She's on my tree and she's my Annette Angel! I can't believe it's been a year! Lisa I am thinking of you and your family as this difficult anniversary nears. Rhonda and Alex (8 yrs)

The ornament that reminds me of Annette is one I gave to her. I'm not a particularly religious person but I knew her faith was important to her so one day I saw a little ornament that was a little nativity scene in a hand and I thought, reaching into my brain for my bible teachings "The palm of his hand. It's perfect for Annette right now." So I wrapped it up and mailed it to her. I hope it's still somewhere with the family, but if not I hope someone else is getting peace from it. Clare

Mine isn't a treee ornament but it's a beautiful angel that I got from my secret santa last year. I keep it on my desk right by my computer and think of Annette each time I look at it, which is daily. I never had the pleasure of meeting her in person, but she was always such a wealth of information on any questions I had. Some people don't understand how you can feel so close to someone you've never met in person - to that I say you never had the pleasure of "knowing" Annette. I sure do miss her. Penny

This has been such a reflective week........as we approach the Dec. 16th anniversary of our friend, and sister, Annette's passing. I so want to memorialize this date in a special way..... My Annette Angel hangs above me right now, in my home office, and it will go back on the tree when we decorate this weekend. It says "An Angel Gets Her Wings" and has the inscription...Annette, you will always be remembered on the inside. Jeff purchased the angel after our road trip to Annette's funeral. I think I will reprint your wonderful ulogy on my blog and here..........and again think of our good friend and sister who I miss every day. And can't yet delete from my cell, but will do this on her one year anniversary and be brave as Lisa was. Jan

She's still on my cell, too, Jan......and her email is still in my address book. I don't know if I'll ever be able to let that go. My Annette Angel is on my refrigerator and I look at it every day - their Christmas card from last year, at Disney. In that picture, Annette is my living, breathing angel, and I am so thankful to have called her my friend.Amy

I have everyone's Christmas cards throughout the years and after Annette passed away, I knew I wanted to do something with them, other than store them away, so I put them in a scrapbook. Annette's family has their own pages, along with everyone else. It's a nice way to store them and have access to them, I can get them out and look thru at any time!! I can also see how everyone has grown!!! Rhonda

I have two, one from Annette and one for Annette... When I found out I had cancer, Annette sent me the angel of hope. She sits on my dresser and I see her everyday. The other angel I bought for our tree. I will post a picture of both when I have a chance. I miss her wisdom and her being. Kris

I met Annette and Kerri at Kei's house it seems like so long ago. We had the best time, drinking wine And Ryan had a blast with Bill...they were wrestling. Looking at those pictures is just so hard. Annette's Christmas card is hanging on my fridge. This is such a tough couple of weeks. Melissa

Many times a day I stop and smile back at Annette's sweet smile that radiates from her Christmas card from last year that is hanging on my fridge. I do believe that that card will always be hanging there, as it is such a huge part of my everyday life. Tara Marie

add me to those who have Annette's card from Disney on the fridge... i never had the chance to meet annette, but we did speak on the phone...it is really amazing how her presence is still so strongly felt, here and everywhere that she touched. Debbie

I actually have 2 ornaments that I purchased in Annette's memory. One is simple and beautiful and I wrote her name of the back of it. The other I HAD to get because it says, "Twas her thinking of others that made you think of her" Elizabeth B Browning. And that IS Annette's spirit that lives on in my memories of her. I cherish the times I was able to hug her and be with her, I miss her!

You ladies are all so special! Thanks for contributing these touching memories. Lisa