Sunny,
I am so lucky to have you as my sister in law! I want you to know that I really cherish you as a friend and sister. I don't really know what I would do without you in the family. I love you so much and have so much fun with you. I love the time we get to spend together and love having you to talk to. I admire your amazing qualities of acceptance, forgiveness, optimism, and unconditional love. You are an amazing example to me of true friendship. I really wish the best for you and hope that you can have everything you dream of. You definitely are amazing with kids and I am sure will always be the favorite aunt. :)
Thank you for always being there for me and for putting up with me. I love you and cherish you so much. I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
Love, Amy
From Sterling Simkins:
Our Sunny is Funny. She’s is also intelligent, conscientious, caring, and compassionate. All of these are wonderful character traits in and of themselves but add the clever wit and ability to brighten the room with her presence and it’s no wonder everyone loves to have her around. We all know we’re going to think, contemplate, and smile when she is with us. Her disposition is truly, sunny.
Sunny is also an accomplished conversationalist. For the sake of a kind word, a congenial exchange, or a pleasant discussion, Sunny contributes delightfully. But should the tone turn to debate, watch out; for she will rip you a new one.
It’s interesting that whenever we happen upon current or old friends, whether from here, there, or everywhere, inevitably the question is asked, “How is Sunny?” Above all else Sunny makes a lasting and positive impression.
SMS
From Robyn Simkins:
Sunny is my sun shine, my dear sweet gift of light. I can’t even begin to say how wonderful it was to hold the most beautiful baby girl in my arms for the first time and thank Heavenly Father for her. I was impressed very early on with her intelligence and talents. She could sing entire primary songs at the age of 18 months. Most children can’t even talk at that age. I have proof of it on cassette tape. She was reading way beyond her years in elementary school, reciting long poems and stories from memory at that early age. She was also performing challenging songs with lots of words that she probably didn’t even quite know what they meant with depth and feeling at that time too. Wherever we have lived, people remember Sunny and ask about her well after we have moved away. We’ve shared the most wonderful times and had wonderful conversations and good laughs. I’ve always known she has the most amazing spirit of anyone I’ve ever known…no battle, no debate. I am so honored to be called “mom” by her during this earthly journey. She’s been my best friend through it all! I love her more than words can express.
From Kori Witmer:
There are so many things I can say about my sister. There is absolutely no way I can put any of it into words. But I'll take a light saber swing at it.
Sunny, my beautiful and incredible sister. Never giving up, always smiling first, never failing to take care of others when she deserves the entire world and universe before her feet. If I were even half the woman she is, it would be an accomplishment unlike I have ever had. She is my hero, my best friend, and best of all; my sister.
Without getting too emotional, I have to especially make the point that my sister is the very core of my life force. My inspiration and my steady balance. As she is always the first person I turn to in time of need, she has never let me down. How I wish I could give her the life loving spirit she gives me on a daily basis. There is no way in any language that I could possibly express my love for my sister and how much she means to me. I adore and want nothing but blissful Jedi-strength happiness for her. The force is strong with this one. And it will be with her... Always.
-me
From Aron Simkins:
Dearest Sunny,
When I was asked to write this letter to you, I had a few decisions to make. The biggest, most important was whether to write it as if it were an obituary or simply as a nice letter for Christmas. Since I don't know how you died, and I don't want to take the liberty of creating your death, I will just write it as the latter.
Throughout our lives, you and I have always shared a lot of similarities; and even though we haven't always gotten along, I have often times boasted that the two of us are, in fact, twins...and not separated by 14 months. It is probably because of our closeness that we don't get along all the time. That and I'm a B-hole. Anyway, we share a similar sense of humor, similar tastes in movies and books, similar disdain for the hardships of growing up in "poor" and sometimes "ruthless" conditions, thanks to our parents' decisions to deprive us of everything from good cereal (the sugar kinds) to more than two squares/plies of toilet paper. And let's not forget the long, abusive nights of sitting in agony at the dinner table, hours after dinner had finished, staring at our cold plate of terrible that was hard to look at, let alone swallow. The worst part was realizing that as much as we wished it gone, we knew we would undoubtably see it again in the morning for breakfast, which is why we never had sugar cereals. But I digress. This isn't supposed to be a letter about our parents. This is supposed to be a letter about you.
Sunny, I have always wanted the best for you. I think, in my sometimes un-tactful way, that I have demonstrated this on a number of occasions over the last few years (for better or worse). The first time I really recall my own desire for your benefit was at the end of my senior year when you found out you didn't make Madrigals. I was surprised at how heartbroken I was for you. I have always thought you were a wonderful singer with excellent stage presence. But it wasn't that you didn't make it that surprised me the most. It was my reaction to your reaction. I realized in that moment that what you do does mean something to me; it was a source of pride for my sister to succeed and be happy. Over the next few years, I had countless other opportunities to share the happy moments and some of the heartaches with you. It has been these experiences that have brought us together. And it has been these experiences that have allowed me to act like a big brother (at times), as well as gloat at your accomplishments. I hope you will always be able to see and interpret my actions as sincere, even when they aren't displayed in the best possible way.
You are a very talented person with a ton to offer. You have a way of connecting with people that I will never have. Things in life may never go just as we want or would like; but despite what obstacles are thrown your way, I hope you will be happy...or at least find that reason to be happy. Thanks for being my sister, even when there are times I'm sure you'd like not to be.
Merry Christmas.
Love,
Aronsaraus Rex
From the Bringhurst Family:
Dear Sunny, We are so happy to have you in Rusty's (and our) life! You are a sweet talented young women and we hope we'll always be a family. Love, Russ, Chris & Tim Bringhurst
