Listener -- Sarah Turner

Whether it's through the fence or by the ocean, the friendship resides

Dear Jenny --

I was having a conversation with Abbey the other day about friendships. She has been struggling with finding a good friend, someone who is genuine and loyal and caring. I told her that she WILL find friends like this, but they will wander into her life at different times, like little gifts alone the way, when she needs them the most.

That is how I way I think about you. We both chose our neighborhood for the privacy and coziness it offers, and I was never looking for an open fence policy. But here we are, you raising my son half the time, and your daughter being an angel sent from heaven to bless my house whenever she has the whim. When I told Andrew to go peek over that fence and report back to me about who moved into the house behind us, never did I think I would find someone who I would trust with anything ever at anytime. Never did I think I'd find a close companion, a fresh perspective, a spiritual director, a trusted confidante, someone who I can pour my heart out to and feel like she is really LISTENING in her thoughtful very considerate open-minded way.

Jen you really are a special person. You are an original sort of human­ -- you really are. I think you are an "old soul"-- someone who knows what is important at a young age. You have such an incredible heart and are so, so genuine and real and kind and non-judgmental and SUPER FUNNY. I have never ever left your presence not feeling better for whatever reason -- lighter, happier, more loved, better fed, more understood. You are a breath of fresh air.

You have helped me immensely . . . more than you could ever know in the last six months. I seriously feel like you have saved  me from the depths of despair, whether it was a listening ear, or a meal, or helping with Janey, or driving me to yoga, or your encouragement -- you know I could go on and on with what you have done for my me and my family. You mean the world to me. I am so grateful that God put you in my life. You have been an incredible blessing and will continue to be. I am a better person for knowing you.

Happy Birthday and here is to many more years of friendship.

I love you,

Sarah

Weird/Funny -- Patrick Turner (Kraus)

Look at that form and follow through!!

Always a (young) man of few words, it took a bit to get something other than "Ummm" or "I don't know" out of Patty when asked what word first came to mind when he thought of Mrs. Kraus. But after some honest soul searching, he seemed quite content with both "weird" and "funny."

Our four incredible sons

Clown -- Jeff Turner

Captions are intended to enhance or explain a photo;
that isn't really feasible in this particular case --
hard to argue, the photo says it all

Jenny you are a clown. It takes one to know one. Being a clown myself, with true Ass-Clown roots, it takes a special brand of comedy to crack me up. You have to be outrageous, spontaneous and creative, but also really be committed to the craft. With the frequency that you crack me up, you are a special person.

What comes to mind you ask? How about you learning the worm during the middle of the boys soccer game? Or, the dramatic entrances you make into a room or party? You flipping on the trampoline. Your Olympic diving skills for all to enjoy at Belmont. All this done without a care in the world how you are viewed by others. 

You are really such an amazing friend and person.  Thank you for being there for Sarah and me and our family, especially over this past year. You were just incredibly awesome. My whole family loves you.


Have the best birthday a 29 year-old could ever have.  And please, always keep us laughing.

You are the best. 

Love,

Jeff