You've taught me that strength is found in kindness, courage in patience, and love in gentle hearts.

This quote was one of Abby's favorites. She once told me that one-day she hoped to find someone she could say it to, because she truly believed in it.

Well, she may not have found that person but I did in her. Every word describes her to a "T".

"…that strength is found in kindness." Abby could have easily hated the world after her father and brother were taken from her, but she didn't. Instead, she embraced the challenge to live a kind and caring life full of love for everything around her.

"…courage in patience." When she lost her eyesight after 16 years of life, no one would have blamed her for just giving up, but she didn't. She pushed herself to learn to read Braille, used her sharpened senses to aid her existence, and somehow found the strength to go on.

"…and love in gentle hearts." What more is there to say than that? Abby's heart was filled with so much love; for all those around her and from all that she gave to others. There wasn't a mean bone in her body. She lived life to the fullest and thanked God everyday for saving her life so she could bring joy to others.

She did all that and more for me. She was my hero, my constant reminder that life is a gift, and my shining light in the sky. I recently bought a star and named it after her. She shines brighter then the North Star on some nights. I think that is her way of letting me know that I'm not alone, that she is always there, watching me from above.

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