When I married David in September, his daughter, Kelly, joined our family.  What a gift she is to each of us!  I am so very grateful that she is part of our family, and so very proud of the young woman she is.  And I am grateful to her mother for sharing her daughter with me!

The first time I met Kelly, I loved her immediately.  She was friendly and fun and we had a great time talking and getting to know each other.  We went to Bishops, a favorite local restaurant of Dave, Kelly and I.  I think of that evening often, and cherish the memory.  Thank you, Kelly, for being so kind and gracious when we met!

Kelly is beautiful!  She has gorgeous dark hair, beautiful blue eyes, and a smile that makes my heart sing!   The clothes she wears suit her so perfectly.  She is the essence of style, flair and grace.

Her laugh is amazing!  When Kelly laughs, you can’t help but laugh, too, because it is such a hearty, happy laugh.  I am grateful for the sound of her laughter.

She invited her dad, Kylia, Kari and I, to visit her, at her condo, in Chicago, last summer.  That trip is one of my all-time favorite memories!  Everything about it was wonderful!  She took us to so many wonderful restaurants, and every meal was delicious!  We went shopping, and to the Indians/White Sox game, rode the elevated train, went to the Memorial Day parade and walked and walked and walked.  We loved going to Millenium Park and spent a lot of time at “The Bean.”  On Sunday, Dave and I were worn out from all our walking, so Kelly took Kylia and Kari to the Art Museum.  It was a busy, but in many ways, very relaxing weekend, that I will never forget!  Kelly has a gift for making everyone feel comfortable and welcome!

She has a real sense of style.  Her condo is decorated in such a warm, relaxing, inviting way.  Works of art, bookshelves filled with interesting books, photographs from her many trips, comfortable seating with afghans or soft covers draped here and there, a cozy nook for relaxing and watching TV or reading in her kitchen/dining area, antiques that blend so well with more modern pieces and the coziest feeling of comfort in every room.  She’s lucky we didn’t move in….

Kelly is a world traveler, and her stories about her trips, and her photographs from those trips make me feel as though I have gone to all of those places, too!  Her wanderlust has been a gift to all of us.

Her photographs are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.  She has a good eye for composition, color, shadows, light and balance.  I would like to line my walls with her photography.  Her pictures from Machu Piccu, Death Valley, Italy, Buenos Aires, Spain and so many other places are breathtaking!

I am grateful that Kelly is a kind, supportive, fun, intelligent, loving and caring big sister for Kylia and Kari.  She understands each of them so well, and always offers just the right words of advice and support.

The five of us have spent two Christmases together, and they were the happiest, most fun Christmas celebrations, the girls or I have ever known.   I can not put into words what it feels like to share holiday joy with people you love so deeply.  Each year, Dave, Kylia, Kari and I couldn’t wait for Kelly to arrive, and each time, the whole day was absolutely perfect. (except this year, I forgot to make noodles… sorry, Kelly!)   I loved opening our gifts together, and seeing how each of the gifts was so carefully chosen, and the joy on the giver’s and the receiver’s faces.  Then sitting down to a delicious dinner together around our dining room table, and staying there a long time, just talking and laughing, enjoying our meal and being completely at ease.  Kelly, it means so much to me and to your dad and to Kylia and Kari that you take the time to be with us.  Thinking of these moments bring tears of joy and sadness!   I am so grateful!

Kelly loves the Chicago Bulls!  I have never been a big NBA fan, but Kelly’s passion for the Bulls, made me want to watch their games and cheer them on.  Especially when they played the Heat!  She admires their coach, Tom Thibodeau, and I’ve been inspired by his words in my current situation.  Dave has reminded me of Coach Thibs words to “Dig Deep!” “Make it go your way!” “You’ve gotta own it!”  “One more quarter!!!”  It always make me laugh, and it helps me keep going!

Kelly, you are a precious gift in my life and in the lives of many!