Bethany

April 17, 1994

Rachel

Dear, dear Bethany...I remember when you were so little! I remember you crying and making a ruckus in church, and Jared was SO lucky, he got to take you out into the foyer and take a breather from sacrament meeting. The thing that I think of first every time I think of you is your spazz-ness, and I mean that only in the most loving way!! You are so dramatic, and have so much energy! You remind me a lot of myself actually. It seems like you went from tiny to teenager so quickly. You are such a loving sister to Isaac, that is what really impresses me about you. You are so patient and loving towards him, and seeing the friendship you two have is so touching! 

One special memory I have of you is actually very recent, but it really affected me and I remember it so fondly. It was when I came home for a long weekend when Grandma was sick. The last night before I was supposed to leave, you slept in the spare room with me and we stayed up for a while talking. You told me about Mateo and school, and I was so tired but I treasured that so much!! I fought like crazy to stay awake because now my little baby sister was talking to me like we were teenagers having a slumber party and I didn't want to miss a second of it. I would give anything to be back in that moment right now and be able to live it again, just for a little while.

I love you so much Bethany, Happy Birthday! Stop growing up so fast!

Love you.

Rach

Sarah

Bethany was always the one who we babied. She made us laugh constantly. She was ADORABLE. She was the skinniest little thing and would often skip dinner because of all the candy we fed her after school. We'd give her candy to hang out with us. We wanted to tease her and tickle her and then generally just love her. She was always smiling and laughing and doing funny things. I remember coming home to visit from college and we would do the "walk on the bum" game all the time. She loved it. She was one of the first ones to burst out of the front door and run toward my car when I pulled up. She's always represented sweetness and love. No judgement, no hard feelings. I don't think I've ever seen her mad (but I didn't live with her during her teenage years, so I'm not exactly sure). I love you Bethany. Happy Birthday.  

Hannah

Bethany: You were also known as "My Baby." From a very young age, I was rescuing you from your guardian, Jared. Each time I would come home from Yreka, you would run out and I would pick you up. You have always been a spunky, sweet, beautiful little thing and I just love you. One of the saddest days of my life was when Bethany officially learned to say the letter "R." I missed your adorable speech impediment when it left. And what you used to be as a child has only proven to be a precursor to what you have become as a young lady. You are strong, lovely, faithful and still, as always, spunky. I look up to you, Bethany, for your burning desire to do what is right. You are a leader to all you come in contact with. When you graduate highschool, you will be going on to bigger things. Stay as strong as you are now. Pursue your dreams and passions, be everything you want to be little Bethany. Now that I have become at peace with your ability to say your "R"s, I am ready for you to grow up and follow your dreams. Just whatever you do, never change who you are. You are special and amazing. A true gem. 

Love you Bethany.  

Miriam

Bethany was my roommate. The two years I went to HSU, me and Bethany shared a room. She used to snore EVERY night and, I admit, I may have resorted to pinching her nose shut to get her to wake up and turn over. Then she finally got her tonsils taken out and it helped immensely. We would make farting noises and almost pee our pants laughing so hard. Guess I really hadn't grown up much by attending college. I'll never forget the night she said to me "Miriam, do you ever think about the stars? I try and think about them and it's like my mind wants to go past them but it just can't, no matter how hard I try." That's a deep thought for a 7 year old. And that analytical brain has never quit. We had a lot of spiritual conversations too. Little Bethany. A deep, wise little spirit you are. All my love roommate:) Happy Birthday.

*So, facebook won't let you download their pictures to your computer and I don't have any pictures of you on my computer so sorry it's pictureless:(