Alexis and Amanda...

Amanda and Alexis

Bowling, sushi, grilled pork chops, chili, jalapeno poppers, whiskey, rum, beer, margaritas, girl’s night out, snow day drinks, that giant hummer of hers (!), Kandy and Frida, drunken late night political/religious/societal/music/dogs conversations, carharts, slip ons, TEXAS, cosmos, mangos and more Texas. I met Amanda in 2010, but didn’t really begin to know her until 2012 and if there’s anything that I’d take back about the two of us it would be that I didn’t try to know her sooner.

                When Amanda came back from Texas I was just coming back from home where I had to leave my daughter in the care of family while I prepared for my ship’s upcoming underways. My house was empty and hers was only four houses down so it was just perfect. I think I spent more time in January and beginning February at her house than mine. Amanda had a contagious spark like no other. I would come over after a bad day at work and completely forget about it. She kept my mind off my daughter and my mind on what I had in front of me. She taught me to…I don’t want to sound cliché but she taught me to be a better person. She taught me to laugh ‘cause most of the time it’s the only thing we can do. She taught me to look forward and never back. She taught me so much more than I can’t even recognize now. She taught me that Texas is amazing and I really should visit. We were so opposite on so many subjects but I think it only made us a better match. I will forever cherish these last two months with her. I had a dream on St Patrick’s Day that I had received a text from Amanda saying that she was home and healthy and sorry that she had missed St Patty’s day with me and I woke up thinking it was true. I thought it was a sign that things were going to get better and in a way they did, just not the way I wanted.

I still have a bottle of Gentleman’s Jack that I bought for when she got back home and I haven’t been able to drink it, but I think I’ll have a drink tonight with her. There better be whiskey in Heaven!!

Amanda, I hope you know how much you impacted me this year. I love you, girl! You’re such an amazing person and I can’t wait to see you again someday.

Love, Alexis

Much love to you and your family, it has to take some amazing people to make such an amazing girl.