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My Friend, Amy.

Amy Elizabeth Hild.
September 9th, 1987 – February 25th, 2015

Amy Elizabeth Hild

I’ve known Amy’s full name for well over 10 years, and I’ve never forgotten it.  She used to doodle it in her math notebook all.the.time.  She’d put fancy designs around her name and play around with different lettering.  She’d occasionally get called out for drawing, rather than looking at the board.  Amy later became a graphic designer.
It was apparent that this was her passion and gift, even as a kid.  How cool is that?
Amy was a year younger than me in high school, but we were in the same math class.  I’ve never been more grateful for my lack of math skills and dependence on a calculator.  It meant I got to spend an entire school year sitting next to Amy in Mr. Perry’s class at Clear Lake High School.
She was fun, she was honest, and she was beautiful.  She explained math to me in a way I could understand.  If I was stuck, she helped me, without judgment.  She did everything without judgment.
I never had any reason to be upset with her. I can remember one particular day when she gave me a picture of
herself.   Rather than the normal crappy school pictures this was a beautiful portrait that her parents took her to have
done.  She talked about singing in church and I remember thinking “Is there anything you DON’T do?”  I may have even said that out loud.  It didn’t make me jealous, but made me admire her even more.  She had so much talent, and she inspired me.
Last Wednesday was much like any other snowy day in Iowa.  We slacked a little on our traditional schooling and instead made tags to attach to a stack of sleds we bought to give away.
The kids were making their Random Act of Kindness tags as I supervised, taking pictures to blog about the experience.
They made a list of who they wanted to give them to, prayed over the list and for the people, and then went out delivering. Before I knew it they were having a little sledding party on the hill across the street.
Afterwards the kids and a neighbor mom ended up here, for treats and hot chocolate.  I silently praised God for our  neighborhood, and all the love and community we’ve found here.
I was distracted doing real life, and not checking my phone.  I love those moments.
We were living our day like a perfect tribute to Amy, before we even knew she was gone.  Amy was a good deeds do-er.  Yes, I made that phrase up, but it really does describe her.
After everyone left here I cleaned up and took a seat on the couch to “veg out” with my phone (it happens).  One of the first things I read on Facebook was this:

I yelled out a big “NO, NO, NO, NOT AMY!”

I worried that this was a mistake and felt bad about how it must have worried her family before they found out she was fine.  I sat like this for quite a while, before I realized how NOT FINE I was.  I was in absolute denial.  And I stayed that way, until this morning, when my husband and I attended Amy’s Celebration of Life.
I needed the closure, I needed the community. I am so thankful for all the people who were there, banned together in support for Amy’s family.
My heart ached for her fiancé, but by the end of the service, it just rejoiced.  He found Jesus through Amy.  How lucky he was to be so close to her and to spend all the days together that they did.  I think of all the experiences they had,  and I just smile.  Amy was an advocate for Jesus.  Her life was lived on purpose, with purpose.
 Her funeral was so large that, I kid you not, there were parking attendants directing traffic in the parking lot!
There was a room for overflow because the sanctuary was full, despite the staff/volunteers bringing in extra chairs, multiple times.  I mean WOW!  I can only hope to have a funeral where so many people come together to show support to my family, after I’ve passed.
Today as I sat down to start writing this I looked back at Amy and I’s Facebook messages to each other, dating way back to 2008.  I had forgotten all we’d been through and all we had talked about.  Now that she’s gone I can clearly see why we had some of those conversations when we did, even though at the time they didn’t seem like they would be so life changing.  They were.  For her and I both.  Amy didn’t use social media as a mask, it was a tool to her.  She was just as genuine online as she was in person.  She was a one of a kind.
I am forever grateful for getting to meet Amy Elizabeth Hild while she was on this Earth.  I’m grateful I was able to call her a friend, and I am grateful I was touched by her passionate spirit.  She taught me so much more than just some
silly math facts (sorry, Mr. Perry!).

Amy’s Obituary

Amy’s Blog

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Filed Under: All The Posts, Celebrate Absolutely Everything, Encouragement Tagged With: Celebrate Absolutely Everything, Encouragement

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Comments

  1. Jennifer Schmitt says

    March 2, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    I so appreciate this post and I too have gone through every text, message and interaction Amy and I have had, she was a genuine kind soul!

    Reply
  2. PennieS says

    March 2, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    Beautiful.

    Reply
  3. Michelle says

    March 2, 2015 at 10:37 pm

    Beautiful words. ..God bless.

    Reply
  4. Donna says

    March 2, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    You summed her up perfectly!! I am a better person for having her in my life. We have a link up for all the beautiful posts about her. I added yours to it <3
    http://bit.ly/1ws7Dx8

    Reply
    • A Slightly Better Wife says

      March 3, 2015 at 5:32 am

      Thank you, Donna.

      Reply
  5. Sara Broers says

    March 3, 2015 at 4:03 am

    Thank you for sharing, beautifully said.

    Reply
  6. Jeni Flaa says

    March 4, 2015 at 12:02 am

    Love to you. I'm so sorry we lost our friend.

    Reply
  7. Sara Broers says

    March 18, 2015 at 4:12 am

    Thank you for sharing~ I too miss our friend.

    Reply
  8. learningasigokf says

    March 18, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    This is great and I too miss our sweet vibrant Amy! Thank you for sharing! Life is not the same without her!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Kitchen Gadgets Giveaway: Part 1. - A Slightly Better Wife says:
    February 13, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    […] I never did get a chance to tell her   (you can read about that here). I’m hopeful that she can somehow read this post and know I’m thinking of […]

    Reply
  2. How Can I Even Do This Day? - A Slightly Better Wife says:
    February 25, 2016 at 5:12 pm

    […] missing my sweet friend, Amy.  1 year ago today she went to be with Jesus, & tomorrow is the anniversary of my […]

    Reply

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Hey Friend! I am truly so glad that you’re here today!

At A Slightly Better Wife, I share about faith, homemaking, homeschooling, and marriage—along with my passion for creating a non-toxic, intentional home. Life isn’t about perfection, but I believe in making small, meaningful choices each day to do things slightly better than before.

My love for simple living and homemaking was deeply shaped by my grandparents. I have the best childhood memories of being in the kitchen with my Grandma Edna, learning the beauty of home-cooked meals and a well-tended home. My Grandpa Link’s storytelling and wisdom instilled in me the value of faith, family, and slowing down to listen during the little moments that make life rich. Their influence is woven into who I am today and I’m so grateful for that.

I’m a wife, a momma of 5, and a homemaker at heart. My husband and I met young, just days after my 18th birthday, and we quickly (like within a week) knew that forever was in our plans.

Together, we built our home on the edge of town, where we’re raising and homeschooling our children while embracing a simple, purposeful life in the city.

Here, you’ll find encouragement for your marriage, practical tips for homemaking, and inspiration to cultivate a home filled with faith and love. Whether you’re looking for a recipe, a fresh perspective, or just a place to feel understood, I hope you’ll stay awhile and explore.

Let’s pursue slightly better together!

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