Our Sweet Angel Sonja
December 20, 1982 - January 12, 2004
Twenty years ago, when
I was a mouthy, know it all teenager, and she was a chubby little baby with spiked hair, Sonja entered my life and captured
my heart. Fourteen years later she moved into our home, and became one of our girls. Our other girls were quite
young, and can't remember a time that Sonja wasn't one of their sisters. We all instantly gained an extended family,
as Sonja didn't come to us alone. She brought her mother, father, sisters and brother, and eventually nieces and a nephew.
We have shared weddings, births, deaths, and a few good parties!
We saw Sonja grow from a tiny 15 year old girl just starting high school, to
a 21 year old woman enjoying life as an adult. She melted the hearts of her teachers and school mates - especially Sheila,
who treated her with never ending love and respect.
Like all other teenagers, she always had to have her best friend, Erin, at our
place. After she graduated, she decided that Kathy needed to hang out all the time. When Kathy started to hang
out with Sonja at the coffee shop where she and Erin had been so often, Kathy was blown away by the number of friends who
stopped to chat with Sonja. That's the way it was wherever she went.
Sonja loved being part of the junior choir at church. She danced in her
seat during all of the musical productions, and often made herself the star of the show.
As a family, we have gained so much from being able to share Sonja's life.
We have met the best people, and have made some very strong friendships. We've learned not to take life too seriously,
and to enjoy the ride. We've learned that all that's really important is having and giving lots and lots of love.
People are always telling us how lucky Sonja was to have us. The are wrong.
WE are the ones who have been blessed to have such a special young lady in our lives.
Sonja, you will be in our hearts forever. We love you!
