Amber was something special! In a sea of over 400 billion shining stars, she was by far the most brilliant and colorful! I first met Amber in the 10th grade. She was the "new" friend of a very old and good friend of mine. I knew right from the get go, she was different. She didn't care about what other people thought of her, which let's face it, in high school, we all cared about that! The three of us were sitting in the student center one day, and Amber was busying herself by burning the peace symbol into her ankle, using her pencil eraser. She seemed awful dedicated to the cause, to be scarring herself this way. 'Peace', to her was a frame of mind, a way to live and a way to be! Most of us could only wish for peace! Perhaps we even included it in our bedtime prayers, but almost never took steps to do our parts. On the last day of our senior year, I met up with Amber after school. Even though our mutual friend had moved to Gilmore City, we had continued our friendship; which is to say, we always exchanged cheerful "hello's" and hung out during school on occasion. She had a wrapped gift in her hand that day. It had a bow and everything. She said it was for Mr. Niceswanger. I knew right away what it was and the implied statement. When she presented it to Mr Niceswanger, he too knew right off what it was. "Is this a can of tuna?" he asked. It indeed was, and when he asked her what she was trying to tell him, she said "You need to eat more!" I remember thinking that she had pulled off something amazing. She made her point out by being half concerned & half just plain smart assed...and he smiled! I was living in California when I got the news of Amber's untimely death. My friend Lisa Irving had sent me newspaper clippings of the obituary and the article about how she died. In case you don't recall, she was found dead, on the floor of the bar that used to sit below the Laramar. "Apparent alcohol poisoning" was the explanation...but I can't help but feel there was more to it. The brilliant, colorful star had burned out and the rest of the world who hadn't yet been graced by her friendship...never would! I hope and pray that her message of peace rings louder than it did 20 years ago. I intend to carry on that message by doing what I can every day, to make my little corner of the universe, a peaceful one! GOD BLESS YOU AMBER! YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED!
That was beautiful Terri! I didn't know Amber very well but I think of her from time to time. She sounded like a very special person. I was a regular of that bar when she passed away. What a waste.
I miss Amber. I got to know her very well because we were both part of a group called MYF and I went to her church. I will always remember when she asked our minister that if we are suppose to love our enemies as our friends or was it love our friends and our enemies something like that and she asked if that meant we were suppose to love the devil. I about died I waited to see what our minister said. At the very least he was speedless and all I kept thinking was I wish I could be a free spirit like her. I guess you never can tell when you are going to leave this earth. Amber had the ability to be herself and not worry about a whole lot. I can't help wonder about all the things Amber could have accomplished if she could have fulfilled her dreams. I will miss her and I am sure that anyone who meet her will miss you also.
You were one of a kind Amber and you will be missed forever.
Terri Lemon (Friesth)
Amber was something special! In a sea of over 400 billion shining stars, she was by far the most brilliant and colorful! I first met Amber in the 10th grade. She was the "new" friend of a very old and good friend of mine. I knew right from the get go, she was different. She didn't care about what other people thought of her, which let's face it, in high school, we all cared about that! The three of us were sitting in the student center one day, and Amber was busying herself by burning the peace symbol into her ankle, using her pencil eraser. She seemed awful dedicated to the cause, to be scarring herself this way. 'Peace', to her was a frame of mind, a way to live and a way to be! Most of us could only wish for peace! Perhaps we even included it in our bedtime prayers, but almost never took steps to do our parts. On the last day of our senior year, I met up with Amber after school. Even though our mutual friend had moved to Gilmore City, we had continued our friendship; which is to say, we always exchanged cheerful "hello's" and hung out during school on occasion. She had a wrapped gift in her hand that day. It had a bow and everything. She said it was for Mr. Niceswanger. I knew right away what it was and the implied statement. When she presented it to Mr Niceswanger, he too knew right off what it was. "Is this a can of tuna?" he asked. It indeed was, and when he asked her what she was trying to tell him, she said "You need to eat more!" I remember thinking that she had pulled off something amazing. She made her point out by being half concerned & half just plain smart assed...and he smiled! I was living in California when I got the news of Amber's untimely death. My friend Lisa Irving had sent me newspaper clippings of the obituary and the article about how she died. In case you don't recall, she was found dead, on the floor of the bar that used to sit below the Laramar. "Apparent alcohol poisoning" was the explanation...but I can't help but feel there was more to it. The brilliant, colorful star had burned out and the rest of the world who hadn't yet been graced by her friendship...never would! I hope and pray that her message of peace rings louder than it did 20 years ago. I intend to carry on that message by doing what I can every day, to make my little corner of the universe, a peaceful one! GOD BLESS YOU AMBER! YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED!
Kimberly Koester (Urdiales)
That was beautiful Terri!I didn't know Amber very well but I think of her from time to time. She sounded like a very special person. I was a regular of that bar when she passed away. What a waste.
Monica Stockdale (Matthes)
I miss Amber. I got to know her very well because we were both part of a group called MYF and I went to her church. I will always remember when she asked our minister that if we are suppose to love our enemies as our friends or was it love our friends and our enemies something like that and she asked if that meant we were suppose to love the devil. I about died I waited to see what our minister said. At the very least he was speedless and all I kept thinking was I wish I could be a free spirit like her. I guess you never can tell when you are going to leave this earth. Amber had the ability to be herself and not worry about a whole lot. I can't help wonder about all the things Amber could have accomplished if she could have fulfilled her dreams. I will miss her and I am sure that anyone who meet her will miss you also.You were one of a kind Amber and you will be missed forever.