Celebration of a Beautiful Soul

my best friend, Amy Jean Garrett

It is still so unreal to imagine this earth without Amy’s indelible presence. My deepest sorrow to her family and Kelley for this most significant loss.

Amy shared her heart and mind with a fearless intensity . We first met in 1983 when she was stationed in the 54^th Signal Battalion Fort Hood, Texas.

Amy had a passion for writing, excelling at her job (whatever the assignment) and sharing love and a passion for life wherever she could.

Amy would uncompromisingly speak her mind to make sure the right thing was done. She worked hard and always treated others with dignity and respect. So, even those who didn’t agree with her were forced by her overpowering spirit to listen to new ideas.

In her spare time at Fort Hood she played on the Battalion football, softball, volleyball, basketball teams. She was athletic and team spirited and most importantly a voice to be reckoned with. We used to scrimmage with the male Battalion team (because they said it was their best practice). We took Brigade and that was as far as the women’s competition went. We accepted that. Once we took Brigade in softball as well, Amy was one of the many team members who voiced the unfairness and so we were allowed a game with the women’s softball team (the ones the Army actually paid to play.) During the final game Amy had an amazing “hail mary” catch from deep left field that we would talk about for the next twenty years.

At Fort Hood and our next duty assignment in Germany Amy was my “friend around the corner” we wrote, talked, shared and helped each other survive the hard work and loneliness that is a soldier’s life.

Once out of the Army, Amy and I kept in touch and even took some college classes together. Over, the years Amy kept going to school, working many different jobs and striving for success in all she did. Once she went to Yellowstone, her journey for a solid place was found. She strived to complete her degree and volunteer as needed she was intent on being a Park Ranger. Amy pushed herself to be the best she could and would often call me to share her latest award or success. Every success/award was appreciated but I could always hear that call within Amy to achieve more. I can’t even remember how many times on the holidays she volunteered at the animal shelter or some other selfless act.

When she was honored with the Freeman Tilden she called to tell me about it. She was informative and overwhelmed in telling me about it and for once there was a hint in her voice that she “got it” -- she got what an amazing woman she is--she got what we have all known for years.

There are too many memories and stories for this limited space. Amy and I have talked about this possibility and she made me promise to write…about her about all the adventures we shared but most importantly to write in this memoir especially for her family. Over the years Amy traveled the globe. But if you didn’t notice let me tell you that her focus this last ten years or so was to get as close to you all as she could. I have had many an email or late night phone call so she could tell me about how amazing each one of you are. She would brag about you…each and every one of you. (just not much about herself) It was important to her to be the best daughter, sister, aunt. And Kelley, she was happy with you. She was hoping to live with you and Cody. She was home.

I mentioned that Amy and I have been friends “around the corner” for twenty five years. This summer she came to visit and across the dinner table she toasted…to our twenty five years.

About eight years ago Amy was working through some tough times and she emailed me “this around the corner is too big.”

Well Am-- this around the corner beats that one hands down.

I offer all I can to Amy’s family, Kelley, and Amy’s extended family/friends may we all share in celebrating Amy’s life by striving every day to live our best and share unconditional love, warm hugs, and our hearts with everyone we meet.

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