reflections

Amber is my kindred spirit. A unique soul that God put on this Earth to improve the lives of others. Her characteristic; strength, intellect, beauty and compassion, perpetually surface and she radiates courage in a way unlike any other I know.

Chance made us sisters, our hearts made us friends
Leah Wesemann

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I believe in fate. I believe in destiny, and I believe in the theory that everything must happen for a reason. I apply this belief to my friendship with Amber. When I met her at the confusing age of thirteen, we instantly became close friends. I wish I understood then why Amber had been introduced into my life. If I had, the past eleven years would have been so much clearer. Our friendship has withheld the trials of adolescence, boyfriends, high-school, college, and multiple personal and family hardships. Her dedication to her family and friends is unmatched. She exudes an aura that brings peace to my mind and lightens my soul.
Although it hurts my heart to recognize Amber’s daily battles against cystic fibrosis, I have come to realize that her unfortunate struggles have played a large part in the development of her character. At the age of twenty-four I am finally able to understand the reason we met as children. Amber has taught me the importance of strength and determination. Her spirit and courage cures every sad day I encounter. I stand beside her as she continues to combat her disease. I trust in fate that Amber will fight her way through this battle victoriously, for she does not know the word defeat. She knows life, loyalty, and love. That is why Amber is my life-support, my star, my guardian angel.

Mackenzie Harpine

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Amber has been a true friend since early childhood. Her compassion and courage have always made her an admirable person to everyone; especially to me. I have always looked up to Amber because she has been the leader, the peacemaker and one of the truest friends I have ever had. Her heart is so full of strength that inspires everyone around her to do good for themselves. There is no one like Amber in this world; she is a true original and that’s what makes her one of the most amazing and influential people I know.

“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.” Charlotte, “Charlotte’s Web”

Allison Kramer

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There is a group of us who have been friends since we were little girls and I don’t think any one of us can remember life without the others. In a little town without cable or cul-de-sacs, we grew up riding bikes and horses, terrorizing each other’s siblings and constructing lemonade stands on driveways with no chance of traffic. As we grew we learned everything about each other; our loves and our weirdnesses, our strengths and our weaknesses, and in all of these we have been there for each other, with a love that bonds us forever as sisters.
Amber has always been the core of this group and a truly amazing friend in my life. She is an example of infinite thoughtfulness, grace, strength, and love and I am so incredibly thankful for her.
Diedre Cavan

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My mother and Amber had a very special relationship. Amber and my mother share the same middle names – Zoe – which in Greek means “Life.” Since Amber was her first born grandchild, there was an immediate bonding between them when we visited my parents during Amber’s first summer. Amber had already been diagnosed with CF, but she was such a happy baby, especially with all the attention my mother lavished on her. After that my parents packed up their car every summer and would drive across the United States and stay with us for several weeks in Oregon, each visit reinforcing the relationship between my mother and her granddaughter. When we moved to the East Coast in 1993, we made periodic visits down to Philadelphia, and my parents would do the same and visit us in Maine and Massachusetts. This photo was taken just two weeks before my mother’s passing, and the radiance of their relationship continues to shine through.
Fred Wesemann